The award-winning Welsh college which is helping more women become scientists

Throughout history, the science and maths industries have largely been dominated by men.

Young women have historically tended to stay away from STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects during their school years. This can be down to many things, but one of them is the outdated stereotype that STEM careers are better suited to men.

And as a result, women can often be outnumbered in these industries.

However, this cycle is being dismantled by Gower College Swansea which has been so active in challenging the aspiration gap – encouraging girls and young women to aim high when striving towards careers in STEM.

Gower College Swansea offers a range of courses and industry-leading partnerships that can lead to career opportunities through its female STEM apprenticeship ambassador programme.

This programme allows female apprentices to attend local schools where they can speak with young girls who are interested in STEM-related careers, but who are maybe feeling discouraged and lacking confidence.

The aim of this programme is for Gower College Swansea’s apprentices to inspire young learners to embark on STEM pathways by sharing their experiences of being a woman in the industry.

To further its support of girls and women striving to work in or already working in STEM fields, Gower College Swansea will be a sponsor at this year’s Women in Business Awards – an annual awards ceremony celebrating talented and successful women at the heart of Wales’ business community – and will announce the award for Most Influential Woman of the Year.

Paul Kift, Director of Skills and Business Development at Gower College Swansea said, “As a College we are incredibly supportive of women in STEM and offer a range of courses and apprenticeships that cater directly to those eager to enter the industry. It is more important than ever before that female learners walk through our doors on their final day at College confident in their futures.

“Gower College Swansea is proud of its strong female learners who will lead the way in a variety of industries in the future. We look forward to playing our part as category sponsors at this year’s awards and recognising the leading women in Welsh business. Our aim is to see our current learners up on that stage in the near future.”

The Women in Business Awards ceremony will be held at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall on Thursday 30 September.

Alongside its presence in the business community, Gower College Swansea has a successful track record of scooping awards for its apprenticeship provision, partnering with leading businesses across

Wales and England. It is these top tier apprenticeships that helped the College secure the titles of Apprenticeship Programme of the Year at the Tes FE Awards, and Digital Apprenticeship Provider of the Year and Engineering and Manufacturing Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at this year’s FE Week and AELP AAC National Apprenticeship Awards.