Sure has introduced a bursary in the island for female students looking to study a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) related degree at university.

The bursary, now open for applications, has been developed in a bid to diversify the gender balance within the local telecoms and technology sectors and increase the island’s digitally skilled workforce.

One local student will be selected and will receive £1,500 a year to support their studies over a three-year degree. Additionally, the student will undertake six weeks’ paid work experience at Sure every year throughout the bursary as well as receiving continuing support from female mentors in senior positions at Sure.

Lucienne De La Mare, HR director at Sure, said: ’This bursary aims to inspire female students to consider the great opportunities available through studying a STEM subject at university.

’We need more women in technology as, according to Women in Tech, female representation in the sector has stalled over the last decade.

’Within telecoms and technology women make up just 22% of the UK workforce, according to the 2018 Labour Force survey.

’At Sure 28% of employees are female but this includes only 5% of our engineering and technical staff. 33% of Sure’s senior leadership roles are held by women.

’Stereotypes and prejudice are sadly still hurdles that women have to overcome in the industry but our bursary, with paid work experience and ongoing support from female mentors at Sure to create an invaluable network of women working in tech, are just some of the ways that we are trying to break down these barriers.’

Angela van den Berg from Love Tech, a not-for-profit initiative run by a group of female business leaders and technologists in the island, said: ’As a local not-for-profit initiative whose aim is to inspire and empower young women to explore opportunities and careers in STEM, Love Tech is delighted that Sure has launched a bursary to support women in the Isle of Man who are studying a STEM-related degree at university.

’With UK statistics showing that just 24% of university graduates in STEM subjects are women, we applaud Sure’s efforts to help address the imbalance.

’We encourage other local businesses to follow suit and help us achieve our vision of a world in which men and women have truly equal opportunities, representation and recognition in STEM.’

The new bursary complements Sure’s existing Sure Academy scheme which is a two-year paid employment programme offering school and college leavers the opportunity to gain practical training and an internationally recognised qualification.

Mike Phillips, chief executive of Sure in the Isle of Man, said: ’Sure is proud to add this specifically focused initiative to our wide range of support programmes for people wanting to pursue a career in telecoms and technology.

’We actively encourage young people to consider working in the sector through our Sure Academy, this new bursary, work experience programmes, mentoring and presentations at careers fairs and schools. This bursary will go some way to help equip our local workforce with the STEM-related skills needed.

’We value diversity in our business and our goal with this bursary is to support and encourage women who want to pursue careers in the technology and engineering sectors,’

Students that would like to apply for the bursary must be planning to go to university in September 2019 and will need to send their CV and a cover letter to [email protected] by February 28.

Interviews will be undertaken in March, 2019 and an offer to successful candidates will be made by the end of the month.