Press Release

Award-winning computer club reaches milestone of 100,000 girls

4/12/2007

The Computer Clubs for Girls (CC4G) programme has signed up its 100,000th girl, e-skills UK announced today. The 100,000th girl is Kate Bancroft , a student at Dundonald Primary School in Wimbledon, London which has been running its CC4G club since 2005.

CC4G is transforming young girls' attitudes towards a career in IT. The out-of-school-hours clubs provide 10 to 14 year old girls with creative and interactive activities focusing on areas such as fashion, celebrity, crime scene investigation and music.  Participation in CC4G is currently growing at a rate of around 1,000 girls a week.  More than 3,200 schools are already involved, including over half (58%) of all secondary schools in England.

Kate Bancroft said: "I'm thrilled to be 100,000th member of CC4G.  I never realised how much fun IT could be or how easy it is to learn new things.  Through the activities we get to see how IT makes things happen, from running a fashion show to setting up a band. We really look forward to the weekly club sessions."

Congratulating Kate on becoming the 100,000th girl in CC4G, Jim Knight, Minister of State for Schools and 14-19 Learners, Department for Children, Schools and Families said:  "We are delighted to see the energy and enthusiasm with which girls approach CC4G. But CC4G also has a more serious role. It develops key skills in IT, team-working, problem solving and communications that are valued by employers and universities and which will stand the girls in good stead throughout their future lives.

"As a successful and fully supported programme which has measurable benefits for young people, CC4G represents an ideal option for schools looking to meet their Extended Schools commitment.  Teachers have access to a full set of learning resources, training and support for setting up and running a CC4G club."

The CC4G programme was introduced in 2005 by e-skills UK and employer partners to address the decline in the number of women entering IT. Currently less than one in five (18%) of the UK's IT workforce is female.  CC4G gives girls a new perspective on technology-related careers, while helping them to acquire valuable skills. Research has shown that over two thirds of girls who participate in the clubs say they would be more likely to consider a career in IT as a result.

Karen Price, CEO of e-skills UK said: "We are committed to helping all young people prepare for adaptable careers and lives in a technology-enabled world.  CC4G gives them an insight into the relevance of IT to every aspect of our lives and a better understanding of the career options available."

Employers have provided more than £10 million worth of support for the programme, and are also involved in a wide variety of ways.  For example, this year Microsoft hosted a 'Digigirlz' day based on CC4G for 200 schoolgirls from the Reading area; BA ran CC4G-based 'Holiday Clubs' for girls; and EDS and LogicaCMG helped to set up and run new CC4G clubs.

Jayne Miles, IT Infrastructure Manager at Ford said: "We are delighted to support CC4G.  The UK urgently needs more talented young women to consider careers in technology.  CC4G is vital in achieving this, introducing girls to IT in fun and inspiring ways. It also provides an ideal opportunity for us to support our local schools and community. We encourage our staff to get involved with CC4G and they find the experience very rewarding."

To find out more about CC4G, visit www.cc4g.net

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