Cornwall Council have aims to encourage young girls into STEM subjects

Less than 13% of jobs in science, technology, engineering and maths are filled by females.

A group of employers, educators and students lead by the Cornwall Council are working together to share their passions about STEM careers within schools around the county.

STEM Coordinator at Cornwall Council, Janine Bisson, said: “Over the last 50 years or so, there has been a gradual increase in the number of women working in finance and technology-related roles, which is encouraging, but there is still a massive gender gap in other areas of the STEM spectrum.”

STEM Coordinator at Cornwall Council, Janine Bisson, said: “Schools have a vital role to play as it all boils down to what subjects’ girls choose and find the most interesting. STEM subjects aren’t always top of the list, and so we have to do more in Cornwall to counter this.”

According to industry data the projected number of STEM qualified people will fail to fulfil industry needs as older employees retire and that this is a serious risk to UK and Cornish economic growth.

A survey conducted by Accenture in 2018 showed almost two-thirds (62 percent) of older girls (ages 14+) said they regret not having studied STEM subjects for longer.

Cornwall Council is now appealing for more people to support this initiative.