First Girl's Day at Nova College
At Nova College, Beverwijk campus, the first Girls' Day, powered by Nova Smart Girls, was held as a pilot on April 7. Opening the afternoon program was Anouk Blok, owner of Blok System Supply, supplier of mechatronic end products.
During the morning program, a group of girls from Bonhoeffer College had already taken a look at this innovative company. Other Techport companies, such as Vattenfall Wind and Facta also welcomed girls into their companies during the morning program with presentations and tours.
At Nova College, too, they want to inspire new generations of girls to choose technology or ICT. The 120 girls from Vellesan College, Technisch College Velsen & Maritiem College IJmuiden, Jac. P. Thijsse College and Bonhoeffer College were first enthusiastically addressed by Anouk Blok during the reception at the Beverwijk Campus. Prior to the afternoon program, she explained how she became an entrepreneur in technology and what she does in daily life. Because many of the girls participating during Girls' Day are getting acquainted with learning and working in the STEM, technology and IT fields for the first time, it is important that they get a good professional image, and not only excursions to companies but also role models such as Anouk Blok are invaluable in this regard.
As role models for female students pursuing vocational technical training, the Nova Smart Girls went speed dating with the 120 girls after the opening. And they provided inspiring engineering workshops together with the Construction, Sustainability, ICT and MyTec programs. The Nova Smart Girls Community was created in 2021 out of their own need to bring together female students and teachers from the engineering programs, so that they can support and strengthen each other and thus become empowered. And also to retain them for engineering when they complete their education. The Nova Smart Girls are happy to help out during promotional activities but not only that; the community is also there to inspire the female students with field trips, lectures and role models from industry and to teach them how to network.
Due to the enthusiasm of all participating girls and the positive reactions to the program, the pilot will be continued next year with even more participating Techport companies and even more technical courses of the Nova College providing an attractive program. If you and your company would also like to contribute to Girls' Day next year, let us know now.
See you next year!