Newbury College celebrates International Women’s Day #IWD19

International Women’s Day encourages the world to reflect on the importance of gender equality, to celebrate the successes of women, and to acknowledge the work that is still left to be done.

Newbury College celebrated the success and achievements of its female students and staff via a special social media campaign for the global movement. Many classes and activities were also dedicated to researching the contribution that inspirational women have made to our society and exploring the careers and progression routes available in today’s world of equal opportunities.

Using the hashtags #iwd19 and #newburycollege, the further education provider featured the inspirational women who both work and study at the College, including members of the senior management team, tutors, technicians and support staff.

Newbury College has a proud history of promoting equal opportunities within its staffing and its curriculum. One of the very first students to attend the college when it opened in 1948 was Sheila Smith, an engineering apprentice from Plenty (now SPX Flow Technology). Sheila left the Newbury Girl’s Grammar School Sixth Form to join a traditionally male-dominated industry. After completing her apprenticeship, Sheila went on to study an HNC in Engineering and later taught Technical Drawing at Newbury College and Park House School.

Karen Taylor, Careers Lead at Newbury College, said, “It has been wonderful to highlight the amazing work that women do, not only at Newbury College, but around the world. We actively encourage all of our students to follow their dreams, whatever they may be, and not to let stereotypes define their future.”

Newbury College inspires women of all ages to experience more and achieve more through a wide range of vocational and technical courses from accountancy, creative arts and hairdressing to forensic science, sport and engineering. The College also offers a vast range of one-day courses for adults and businesses starting from just £30.