International Girls in ICT Day: Huddersfield FE Teacher on How to Bridge the Gender Gap in STEM Industries

Posted By: Christopher Morganon: April 23, 2024In: Current Affairs, Education & Training, Innovate & Inspire, News, Regional News

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International Girls in ICT Day: Huddersfield FE Teacher on How to Bridge the Gender Gap in STEM Industries

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By Joshua Robinson –

A Computing FE (Further Education) teacher from Kirklees College, Shondelle Quarshie, is calling on female IT industry professionals to consider teaching in FE ahead of Wednesday 25th April, which is International Girls in ICT Day, as a part of the Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education (FE) campaign.

This year’s theme for Girls in ICT Day is “Leadership“, highlighting the critical need for female role models in STEM careers. According to the Women in Tech Survey, as of 2023, women make up only 26% of the total IT workforce in the UK. Shondelle, who teaches Computing, ICT, and Business believes IT industry professionals have a role in bridging this gender gap.

Ahead of this year’s International Girls in ICT Day, Shondelle is calling on female IT industry professionals to consider teaching part-time in FE alongside their current job to help prepare the next pipeline of female talent in IT.

Shondelle has been an FE teacher for over 5 years, and teaching part-time in FE has allowed Shondelle to earn a stable income and study for a degree while pursuing her dream career of setting up her own skincare business.

She believes female role models in both industry and education settings are important – so more women and girls can see people like them in the workplace and on FE courses they may aspire to join.

Shondelle says: “My main inspiration in science is Mariam Croake, Google’s vice president, who has numerous patents in VoIP. As a black woman, Mariam has dominated an industry where she is an ethnic minority.”

“When I was studying, Mariam had been featured on the Hall of Fame for Women in Technology. As the only black girl in my class, it was a great support and inspiration to me. I believe it is important that everyone is able to see a representation of themselves in learning spaces. As a further education teacher, I take such pride in encouraging, motivating and inspiring the next generation of women in computing and I try to make sure they know that ANYTHING is possible in the digital industry.”

Shondelle Quarshie

About the Department for Education’s FE Teacher Recruitment Campaign

The Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education campaign is calling on those with industry experience to teach in FE by sharing their skills and training the next generation of workers in their respective fields.

FE teachers are needed across many subject areas but there is particular demand for workers from the following sectors: Health and Social Care, Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing, Legal, Finance, Accounting, and Digital and IT.

Practical experience gained from industry is highly sought after, and teaching and other academic qualifications are not always a pre-requisite for employment as FE teachers can start earning straight away and do funded training on the job.

There are full-time, part-time, and flexible contracts available, allowing FE teachers to balance their hours alongside other professional or personal responsibilities.