In Europe, only one in three women studies a STEM-related subject at university, while in Italy the figure is just one in five. To democratise the study of these disciplines and reduce gender inequality in this sector nationally, VINCI Energies Italy has devised a project aimed at Italian families and schools: the VINCI Energies Adoption Program.

This pilot initiative takes four key approaches:

• meetings in secondary schools to make families and young women more aware of STEM subjects’ importance to their professional futures;
• scholarships to encourage selected students to pursue higher studies in these disciplines, or help with achieving professional certification for those wishing to start their careers sooner;
• free training courses from our experts in STEM fields for students experiencing difficulties;
• help with access to employment for underprivileged students.

The aim of the VINCI Energies Adoption Program is to take effective action on any prejudices that these talented young people’s parents or teachers may have, and to make these disciplines more accessible for young women. Rossella Alfieri, Head of Marketing & Communications at VINCI Energies Italy, explains: “Major software companies are developing algorithms designed solely by men.It’s therefore important to increase the representation of young women in STEM subject studies.”