Konica Minolta UK has held its third Ada Lovelace event at the company’s Client Engagement Centre (CEC) in Houghton Regis, welcoming more than 30 Year 8 students aged 12 and 13 from three local schools.
The event, named after the 19th-century mathematician and writer, widely regarded as the world’s first computer programmer, was delivered in partnership with TechGirls, an outreach organisation focused on encouraging girls to consider education and careers in technology. According to industry figures, women currently represent around 17% of the technology workforce, and TechGirls aims to address the digital skills gap by promoting greater diversity within the sector.
During the event, students and teachers were introduced to a range of technologies and roles within the industry, as well as the people who work with them. Activities included collaborative sessions designed to highlight career pathways in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects, alongside a creative exercise where students produced posters encouraging other girls to explore technology-related studies. The posters were printed professionally as part of the experience.
Sukvinder Kathuria, founder of TechGirls, said the organisation relies on partnerships with companies such as Konica Minolta to support its outreach work and help raise awareness of technology careers among young people.
Gemma Lee, chief people officer at Konica Minolta UK, said the Ada Lovelace event is a regular fixture in the company’s calendar and provides an opportunity to engage with students at a key stage in their education. She added that the day is intended to share knowledge about technology and demonstrate the range of potential career opportunities available within the sector.
Konica Minolta’s wider diversity and inclusion initiatives include a number of Employee Resource Groups, such as Balance, a network for women, which originally developed the concept for the Ada Lovelace event. Other groups include Vibrant, which supports LGBTQ+ employees, and Breathe, focused on wellbeing.
Mark Ash, chief revenue officer at Konica Minolta UK, commented: “The girls have been able to speak to women and men from diverse backgrounds working in different roles but all sharing a passion for creating a truly inclusive workplace that nurtures talent, stokes ambition and rewards hard work.”
