Gloucestershire-based global engineering technologies company, Renishaw, recently took part in the EmPowerCyber event.

The event, organised by Cyber Cheltenham (CyNam), was designed to excite, inspire and educate girls on the opportunities the cyber security and technology industry has to offer.

EmPowerCyber aims to change perceptions about diversity within the sector, by creating a variety of workshops to encourage young girls to consider a career in cyber security.

At a recent event, around 800 year 8 girls had the opportunity to take part in hands-on workshops covering four different zones — cyber security, cryptography, networking and logic & coding.

Local businesses contributed to the workshops and activities, with the aim of supporting girls in learning more about the sector and creating a more diverse industry.

During the event, Renishaw's STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) outreach team ran 25-minute workshops in the logic & coding zone, with a challenge that involved coding a BBC Microbit buggy to move around within a defined space, helping them to develop an understanding of coding and how to create algorithms.

Renishaw's STEM ambassadors were on hand to explain how these coding skills apply to the wider technology industry.

Lucy Spiteri-Beale, early careers STEM outreach tutor at Renishaw, said: "The EmPowerCyber event will give girls the confidence and opportunity to explore careers in STEM and, in particular, to inspire them to consider a career in cyber security and technology.

"Events like these offer businesses the chance to come together to address the gender imbalance in STEM related industries and make a real difference."

Sarah Lewis, early careers STEM outreach tutor at Renishaw, said: "We recognise that everyone needs to do their part in changing the industry for future generations. By partnering with events designed to highlight that opportunities exist for everyone, we hope to inspire all young people to consider STEM-based careers."

According to The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2, men outnumber women by three to one in the cyber security industry.

CyNam hopes that running events like EmPowerCyber will help reduced this gender gap and get more girls and young women excited about a career in cyber security and technology.

Schools interested in attending EmPowerCyber events can contact info@cynam.org.