WHEN staff from the Jaguar Land Rover software engineering centre in Shannon set out to address issues related to the gender and diversity balance in the technology sector, they decided to start at the beginning.
And that meant engaging with three local primary schools to promote the importance of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in developing skillsets for the workplaces of the future.
Jaguar Land Rover Shannon is the hub of autonomous and next generation vehicle research and development projects which are a key part in the company’s vision for electrified and automated vehicles.
Members of the company’s female network SHE++ recently visited Gaelscoil an Raithin in Mungret, Lisnagry National School and Scoil na Mainstreach in Quin to support Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to addressing gender and diversity balances in STEM-related careers.
There was great excitement when the students were given a demonstration on how to automate self-parking in a Jaguar Land Rover prototype vehicle.
Aisling Finn, Chair of SHE++ said that companies like Jaguar Land Rover need the diversity of skills that women bring to ensure they thrive and maintain their competitive edge.
“Gender diversification propels progressiveness and innovation,” she added.
“Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious plans for growth and its engineering talent will develop the products and technologies that appeal to customers in the future. We believe that the success of our global business, as well as the regional economy, lies in engineering and innovation. In order to achieve this, diversity is crucial.”
The company’s Shannon site general manager John Cormican said: “It’s an exciting time in our business and it will only grow further into the future, so we need to nurture the minds of tomorrow.
“Jaguar Land Rover is passionate about attracting more women into STEM careers and feels strongly that this begins at a young age. Diverse and talented people are key to delivering new technologies and new approaches.”
