STEM Women Apprenticeship Careers Events

We have organised 3 Apprenticeship Careers Events across the UK since 2024 and are excited for our apprenticeship event expansion into more cities in the UK and Ireland in 2026.

Our apprentice careers events are perfect for students in years 12 or 13 at school or college in the UK (or senior cycle students in Ireland, S5 & S6 students in Scotland).  They are aimed at students who identify as women or non-binary. Our apprenticeship events give attendees the chance to speak to a range of employers from STEM related industries. Employers promote all levels of Apprenticeships, from entry level to higher & degree.

Our events have received great feedback from teachers, parents, students and exhibitors! Our events are designed to create a comfortable environment for the students who are likely just starting to step into the careers space and consider apprenticeship pathways, as well as provide exhibitors with access to hundreds of female students to build diverse talent pipelines in a one-day event.

“The students were absolutely buzzing today about it all and had nothing but positive feedback. Genuinely one of the best networking events I’ve taken students to in my 15 years of teaching. So thank you again so so much, I look forward to attending future events!”

– Teacher at Didsbury High School about our Manchester Apprenticeship Careers Event 2024

Why these events matter

Employers are increasingly recognising that STEM talent does not only flow via the traditional university-graduate route. Apprenticeships, early-career programmes and work-based learning are vital in building inclusive pipelines, supporting career-entry in a way that removes barriers and unlocks different talent pools.

By bringing together talent and opportunity, STEM Women has helped raise visibility of these pathways, and shown how employers and prospective candidates alike benefit when the conversation is open and inclusive.

Keep an eye on our upcoming listings for our apprenticeship events across the UK & Ireland, we’re here to connect you with opportunity! In October 2026, we will be hosting events in:

• London: Friday 9th October 2026
• Glasgow: Thursday 15th October 2026
• Dublin: Friday 16th October 2026
• Birmingham: Monday 19th October 2026
• Manchester: Wednesday 21st October 2026

These events prove to be an invaluable platform for brand visibility and targeted recruitment, offering direct access to a diverse and motivated pool of future STEM talent. They also offer a unique opportunity to connect directly with a highly engaged audience actively exploring early-career routes, allowing employers to build meaningful relationships, showcase their programmes, and meet motivated candidates who are ready to take the next step.

Past STEM Women Apprenticeship Careers Events

Birmingham Apprenticeship Careers Event – February 2026

For our first apprenticeship event in Birmingham, we welcomed 5 employers to meet 120 female school students in Years 12 & 13. The event took place at the IET Birmingham (Institute for Engineering and Technology): Austin Court. The ideal venue for female students interested in apprenticeships in STEM fields.

The STEM Women team worked closely with schools and colleges in Birmingham and the West Midlands to invite students interested in STEM apprenticeship pathways to discover opportunities for free. Attendees represented schools and colleges from King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy, Aston Manor Academy, Washwood Heath Academy, E-ACT North Birmingham Academy, University College Birmingham and Bishop Vesey Grammar School.

The event ran from 10 am until 12:30 pm, with the attendees arrived in 2 waves throughout the morning to ensure everyone had thorough opportunity to explore, discuss and ask questions during their visit. Before entering the exhibitor space, attendees listened to a welcome talk from STEM Women, where students were told about the structure of the event, given networking tips and told about the different types of apprenticeships that might be on offer and how to explore them.

Feedback from students and teachers said that the welcome talks specifically made STEM Women events stand out from others because it increased the girls’ confidence and helped them with what to expect during the event, which was a brand new territory for many of the students.

Manchester Apprenticeship Careers Event – October 2025

We were delighted to arrive in Manchester on Monday 20th October for the STEM Women Manchester Apprenticeship Careers Event, and what a successful afternoon it proved to be. With over 150 attendees exploring the opportunities and conversations flowing non-stop, the energy in the hall was fantastic.

Students from Manchester schools arrived to The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester city centre to explore pathway options beyond the traditional graduate route. Before entering the exhibitor hall, the students listened to a welcome talk from STEM Women where they learned about apprenticeship routes as well as networking tips and advice for the event. The event created an inclusive atmosphere where participants felt comfortable asking questions, connecting, and finding routes into the STEM sector.

Many teachers and parents commented on how the event was much more intimate than others they had been to:

“The girls got a great deal from being able to speak to the providers, both in terms of building their own confidence and independence and gaining information which helped them discover what areas appealed to them and, just as important, which did not. A morning well spent.” – St Bede’s College Teacher

“Completely different to other careers event I have visited in the past where students are just directed to a big hall to navigate their way around. This felt much more personalised and relatable for the learners and I know that they all came away with some really useful information.” – Blackburn College Teacher

With 16 employers on board, the exhibitor line-up offered a strong mix of organisations committed to hiring apprentices, launching talent programmes and building diverse STEM teams. Employers showcased live roles, talked about what apprenticeship pathways looked like in their organisations, and engaged directly with event-goers about next steps.

Manchester Apprenticeship Careers Event – October 2024

Following requests from many of our existing partners, we hosted our first ever Apprenticeship careers fair in Manchester. This allowed exhibiting companies to connect with female school students in years 12 & 13.

The STEM Women team worked closely with schools and colleges across the North West to enable talented STEM enthusiasts to explore apprenticeship options. The event took place at the Bridgewater Hall in central Manchester, with an impressive line up of exhibitors.

170 students attended the event, travelling by coaches and mini-buses from across the North West, representing schools and colleges such as Urmston Grammar, Alderley Edge School for Girls, and Rochdale Sixth Form. After being welcomed by the STEM Women team, attendees took their seats in the theatre to hear STEM Women share top tips on networking which helped them to get the most from the event.

Throughout the event,  attendees were able to network with the employers, discovering potential career paths and gathering information about future prospects. The venue was full of enthusiasm and curiosity as the students made the most of this fantastic opportunity.

Future events

We’ll be returning to Birmingham and Manchester in October 2026 for more apprenticeship careers events, as well as launching in 3 new cities in the UK and Ireland: London, Glasgow, & Dublin. If you’re and employer looking to network with female year 12 & 13 students, please get in touch, our Apprenticeship Events Manager, Mark Newland would love to hear from you!

Reach out to Mark to:

• Ask general questions about STEM Women Apprenticeship Events
• Learn more about exhibitor packages & pricing
• See previous event attendee data & how it lines up with your hiring goals
• Discover how to maximise your exposure & ROI at our events
• Book your employer package – our events often sell out so please reach out ASAP!

You can book a video call with our friendly sales team HERE. Or fill out our contact form below and we will be in touch via email instead.

We look forward to running many more apprenticeship events for years to come, and we hope to see you there!