Pudsey Sixth Form College hosts STEM careers showcase for young women 

Students assembled in Pudsey last week for an event held with employers aimed at boosting female participation in science, technology, maths and engineering (STEM). 

Pudsey Sixth Form College hosted the ‘Young Women and Girls into STEM’ event, which had been organised in collaboration with the Chancellor and Leeds West and Pudsey MP, Rachel Reeves. 

The college’s students, along with their peers from Crawshaw Academy, Co-op Academy Priesthorpe, and Leeds West Academy, enjoyed hearing from guest speakers and discussing career pathways directly with the employers who attended. The session also featured a motivational video message from Rachel Reeves MP, encouraging students to consider the wide range of opportunities available in STEM. 

Speakers included Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris from the University of Leeds, Charlotte Dudill from AW Hainsworth, and Dr Nadia Montevecci from Parker Engineering. Each shared their personal journeys as women in STEM and outlined the many opportunities on offer to the next generation.  

Head of Curriculum and Quality at Pudsey Sixth Form College, Judith Fish, said: “We are committed to ensuring that all of our students feel confident in pursuing ambitious futures. 

“So, it was a pleasure to bring together so many young women to meet with STEM organisations and learn more about the variety of opportunities ahead of them. There are fantastic opportunities in these fields, both locally and nationally, but we need more young women to be encouraged to pursue them. 

“We were delighted to support this effort, alongside the local schools and STEM organisations that joined us.” 

In the UK, women make up less than a third of the total STEM workforce and, while female participation has improved over recent decades, it still lags significantly behind male participation. In certain fields, like engineering and technology, the gender disparity is even more pronounced, with women representing less than 25% of the workforce. 

Ms Reeves, who officially opened Pudsey Sixth Form College last year, said: “Too many young women and girls unfortunately still believe that careers in science, technology, engineering and maths are not for them. 

“Across Leeds and West Yorkshire, we have so many innovative employers who are driving forward new technologies, infrastructure and services, and they need talented young people to be part of their future. 

“It’s great that so many young women and girls from across my constituency had the opportunity to come together at Pudsey Sixth Form College, meet employers, and ask questions about the pathways available to them. Events like this are vital to building confidence and showing clearly that these careers are within reach.”  

Watch the full video below from the Chancellor and Leeds West and Pudsey MP, Rachel Reeves: