Ahead of International Women\u2019s Day on 8th March, the City of Liverpool College is hosting a \u2018Digital Open Day for Girls\u2019, to encourage more females to apply for their digital courses and challenge the gender imbalance that exists in the digital sector.<\/p>\n
Currently, girls comprise only 20 per cent of computer science entries at GCSE, and 10 per cent at A-level, with 30,000 fewer girls taking any computing qualification at GCSE or above now, compared with 2014.<\/p>\n
Taking place on Friday 22nd February at The City of Liverpool College\u2019s Digital Academy, girls will be invited to join some of Liverpool City Region\u2019s leading women in the digital industry \u2013 including Chelsea Slater, founder of InnovateHer and Zoe Wallace, director of Agent Academy \u2013 to discuss the opportunities available to them in the digital sector and find out how The City of Liverpool College can support them to pursue a career in this burgeoning industry.<\/p>\n
The City of Liverpool College has Microsoft Associate College status with its digital academy \u2013 the country\u2019s first dedicated academy of its kind \u2013 offering young people coding, software development and a range of digital skills including online marketing and games design.<\/p>\n
Elaine Bowker, principal of The City of Liverpool College, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving been the first college in the country to create a dedicated digital academy, offering young people coding, software development and a range of digital skills, we are passionate about ensuring that anyone who has an interest in the digital sector has the opportunity to pursue it as a career.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere can often be a misconception that digitally-focused courses and qualifications are targeted towards male students, however our courses are carefully designed to ensure that whatever aspect of the digital sector you are interested in, there will be something to suit your skills.\u201c<\/p>\n
Chelsea Slater, founder of InnovateHer, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cTraditionally, there has been a perception that girls aren\u2019t suited to technology-based roles. Gender-bias is instilled in girls from school age in many ways. For example, pioneering female technology innovators are rarely discussed and most technology roles are already dominated by men, which perpetuates the myth that women aren\u2019t suited to these roles.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, nowadays, digital skills are needed in every business, whatever the sector. Whether it\u2019s building websites, graphic design, or computer games design, there are a huge range of careers and so many opportunities that gaining a qualification in digital can bring.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fantastic that The City of Liverpool College is leading the way in our city region to encourage girls to pursue a career in digital.\u201d<\/p>\n