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Future female leaders are invited to join a skills academy next week.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ is staging the full-day event as part of its STEM Careers Programme, supported by the Dogger Bank Community Fund.

It will provide the opportunity for 40 participants to meet and work alongside inspirational female leaders in industry.

The event, which is aimed at 15-25-year-old girls, women and non-binary people, will include sessions on presenting, time management, project management, effective leadership and creative thinking.

Women from major STEM organisations such as Cellpack Solutions, Dogger Bank Wind Farm, Amazon and Colloide will be helping the young people develop vital leadership skills.

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth, Skills and Climate Change, said: "Women are hugely under-represented in sectors that require science, technology, engineering and maths.

"STEM is a crucial and growing part of the region's economy, and we know there is no shortage of talent in the borough. It is vital that we are nurturing a workforce that is well equipped to capitalise on exciting opportunities like Dogger Bank and the IAMP.

"During this event, industry volunteers will deliver sessions on specific leadership skills to support the development of future female leaders in STEM."

The academy will be held at The Word in South Shields, and there will also be an online audience.

Cllr Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said; "This event promises to be a great opportunity to learn and gain a valuable insight from some inspirational women in leading STEM roles.

"We had extremely positive feedback from our STEM event session in May, with all participants saying their knowledge and awareness of STEM had increased.

"The borough is an industry leader in sectors such as low-carbon heat, mine energy and renewable technologies, with thousands of high-quality jobs being created on our doorstep.

"Events like this are a great way to develop young women's skills and confidence and allow them to thrive in this ever-growing industry.

As well as delivering on the council's key priorities of supporting young people and creating the conditions for recovery and investment, the event also aligns with the South Tyneside Pledge, which aims to boost local recruitment.

Zoe Malam, who works in technical sales for Cellpack Solutions, said: "Showcasing female leaders within the industry is essential as it allows women to explore their identities freely without needing to conform to any stereotype or role assumption.

"This freedom creates an opportunity for women to thrive, become role models and climb to decision-making roles, pushing workplace policies which benefit both men and women, fundamentally strengthening the workforce."

To register for the event, visit: