Lucy Pratt, an A-level student from The Ladies College, has been selected as the first recipient of Sure’s female STEM bursary.
Sure introduced the bursary, the first of its kind in Guernsey, at the end of January 2019 for a female student interested in studying a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) related degree at university.
Lucy was one of many local students to apply and plans to study sports technology engineering at Loughborough University in September 2019. She was chosen for her genuine interest in engineering and finding out how and why things work, alongside her active interest in how technology can enhance our daily lives.
Lucienne De La Mare, HR Director at Sure, said: “We were blown away with Lucy’s application for the bursary and can’t wait to see her take her first steps towards what we expect to be a very successful career.
“At Sure we’re committed to supporting and developing local talent and this bursary aims to do that as well as diversify the local telecoms and technology sectors. This is just one way that we’re supporting the island’s economy as it gears up for an increasingly digital future.”
Lucy will receive £1,500 a year to support her studies. Additionally, she’ll undertake six weeks’ paid work experience at Sure every year throughout the bursary as well as receiving ongoing support from female mentors in senior positions at Sure.
Lucy Pratt said: “I feel so lucky to be given an opportunity to gain such valuable work experience that can contribute to my future career aspirations. To be able to gain mentors from within the company will be such a great help moving forwards with my goals.”
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, and only 12% of professional engineers are women.
Sure is also running a bursary scheme in Jersey and the Isle of Man.
