Ione Howells, an A-level student from Hautlieu School, has been selected as the first recipient of Sure’s female STEM bursary.
Sure introduced the bursary, the first of its kind in Jersey, at the end of January 2019 for a female student interested in studying a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) related degree at university.
Ione was one of many local students to apply and aspires to study mathematics at the University of Cambridge in September 2019. She was chosen for her interest and expert knowledge in mathematics, the extra-curricular work placements she has undertaken and her forward-thinking attitude.
Lucienne De La Mare, HR Director at Sure, said: “We were blown away with Ione’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.”
Ione 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.
Ione Howells said: “I'm very grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to the insight into the technology/ telecoms industry in Jersey.”
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 the Isle of Man and Guernsey.
