Expleo extends partnership with InnovateHer

Expleo has extended its partnership with gender-equity social enterprise InnovateHer to prioritise and expand the opportunities for women to enter careers in STEM.

Expleo’s Hasna Begum with pupils from Preston’s Moor Park School
Expleo’s Hasna Begum with pupils from Preston’s Moor Park School - Expleo

As part of the renewed collaboration, Expleo engineers will deliver talks to over 1,200 students across four regions of the UK.  

Expleo said that the in-school activities aim to inspire young women and girls to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology, where they currently make up just 29 per cent of workers.

Following in-school visits to over 600 students in Derby, London and Preston in 2023, Expleo and InnovateHer have expanded their ambitions to include schools in the Bristol area for this new campaign.

In addition to holding focused assemblies and classroom-based role model talks, Expleo’s women engineers will also present local apprenticeship opportunities directly to students.

In a statement, Jeff Hoyle, MD of Expleo, UK, and EVP of Aero, Space and Defence, said: “We’re proud to continue our work with InnovateHer and have seen first-hand the difference that community engagement makes to young women in schools across the UK.

“By encouraging women to pursue their interests in STEM and countering the outdated idea that careers in science and technology are not open to them, we’re guiding the next generation to fulfil their potential.

“We hope this partnership will serve as a symbol not just of Expleo’s commitment to younger generations, but also to the talented women working in STEM careers right now.”

In addition to assisting in-school activities, InnovateHer supports its partners with equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) health checks, community learning events and access to its e-learning platform.

Chelsea Slater, CEO of InnovateHer, said: “Industry partners such as Expleo are vital to the work that InnovateHer does. Expleo has not only made a great commitment to the EDI work we do, but it has also made a positive impact on hundreds of British schoolchildren. The enthusiastic participation of Expleo colleagues has demonstrated the inclusive and progressive values that run throughout the company.”