Asda has partnered with Girls in Data to provide technology and data-led workshops to over 200 girls in classrooms across West Yorkshire, with the aim of encouraging more girls to pursue careers in technology.
For every four male scientists and analysts currently at work there is only one female, and Asda recognises that there is a need for more women to feel empowered at a young age to pursue a career in technology and believe that initiatives like Girls in Data will help to move the industry in the right direction.
A group of colleagues from the Asda Data Team, together with support from Girls in Data, delivered the GiD curriculum this year. Connecting young female students with positive role models and providing encouragement to explore career opportunities in the world of Data & Technology.
The courses are delivered in a classroom setting across schools in Yorkshire, targeted at girls and delivered in a full day. The curriculum included: Cryptography, Power Bi, Scratch Advanced and Smart Devices Group Task.
In total, the programme reached c225 students in 2023.
Gabriela Dobre, Programme Manager from Asda’s Data & Analytics’ team said: “Enabling and encouraging more girls to get into technology and data is so important as these fields become increasingly vital, not just within Asda but in all businesses. We are pleased to be able to support Girls in Data to deliver these workshops throughout Yorkshire educating young girls. For 2024, we already see schools from last year wanting to participate again which is a testament to the success of the Initiative.”
Roisin McCarthy, Founder – Women in Data®, said: Women in Data® are so deeply proud of our continued partnership with Asda. The commitment from the data team and the impact they have made is simply phenomenal. Asda are supporting our mission in creating pathways for young women to enter and flourish in a data career. We know this collective action will effect real change for the future generation of data professionals.
With the Partnership continuing in 2024, the ambition is to double the number of schools they reach, increasing data awareness to young learners and connecting the local schools to the Girls in Data scheme and Asda.
To date, the team have delivered 9 x full day workshops, delivered in classroom settings to the following West Yorkshire schools:
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Abbey Grange CofE Academy
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BBG academy
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Boston Spa
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Bradford Grammar
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Cardinal Heenan
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Castleford Acadamy
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Co-op Academy Priesthorpe
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Horsforth
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The Ruth Gorse Academy
