Code First: Girls is the latest Irish initiative to encourage more women into jobs in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), following its launch at its inaugural event, Hack Your Career.
Originating in the UK, Code First: Girls is a social enterprise that works with companies and women directly to increase the proportion of women in tech and entrepreneurship.
In the past year, the organisation has run free classes that have taught over 1,500 young women how to code, and has delivered £1.5m of free education in the last three years.
With the vast majority of STEM roles filled by men in Ireland, the organisation has said it is trying to change this by focusing on developing women’s technical skills in coding and IT, and connecting young professional women to a community of other talented and like-minded women who can support their professional development.
Its inaugural event in Dublin, ‘Hack Your Career’, was launched today (13 October) at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofAML) office in Dublin through its Women in Technology and Operations (WIT&O) advocacy network.
Students at the event were given the opportunity to hear some of BofAML’s tech employees share first-hand experience and advice on how to succeed in the sector.
Over the course of the next few months, Code First: Girls has lined up a series of events. One of these is a coding course for girls not directly enrolled in tech-related courses, which will be hosted and supported by Dublin Institute of Technology.
Track record of established alumni
Dr Charlotte Fereday, community programmes manager of Code First: Girls, said: “Our alumni have gone on to become software developers, digital strategists and do other digital roles at a host of companies across the world.
“BofAML has generously hosted a number of Hack Your Career events at their London and Chester offices, and we’re really excited to now be hosted at their Dublin office.”
BofAML’s county executive for Ireland, Peter Keegan, added: “We are delighted to support such a worthwhile social enterprise as it launches in Dublin. The bank’s WIT&O mission is to attract, develop and retain female talent in technology, and partnering with Code First: Girls gives us the opportunity to show our commitment to furthering women’s careers in this space.
“We wish Code First: Girls the very best in their endeavours in Dublin and look forward to supporting them at this, and at upcoming events.”
BofAML has been particularly active when it comes to encouraging more women to flourish in STEM careers, having also recently announced that it was to host its fourth Stemettes event in London.
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