The Swiss TecLadies mentoring programme was launched on 12 September 2020. Since then, 89 girls from German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland have been able to get to know and experience the wide range of professions and activities in technology and IT in over 40 workshops and webinars.
Due to the pandemic, the programme had to be completely reorganised just a few weeks after its launch. Digital formats were used instead of on-site workshops. This did not prevent the girls from taking part in the events in large numbers. The digital implementation also made it possible to offer new workshops at short notice. Of the 25 originally planned, around 40 were offered thanks to the commitment and great support of the partners. The Swiss TecLadies partners include universities such as EPFL, HES-SO, University of Zurich, ETH, ZHAW, FHNW as well as well-known companies such as Zweifel Pomy-Chips, IBM, MAN Energy Solutions, Go-tec! Labor, PB Swiss Tools, CERN, RUAG and the Paul Scherrer Institute.
The final event took place on 5 June - virtually due to the pandemic. The entire Swiss TecLadies team bid a fitting farewell to the mentees and mentors. Around 160 people came together on this Saturday morning. In addition to the mentees and mentors, representatives of the partners, supporters and other guests were also invited.
At the closing event, there was a review of the mentoring activities and the participants were accepted into the Swiss TecLadies Network. This offers young women in training and working women the opportunity to meet like-minded people in numerous workshops and events, exchange ideas and progress in their careers.
Fanny Chollet, Switzerland's first female fighter pilot, also gave a presentation about her career and answered the girls' questions. Caroline Alves, this year's "SRF3 Best Talent" and "Swiss Music Award" winner, congratulated the mentees on their graduation via video message and motivated them to dream and believe in themselves.
Edith Schnapper, Programme Manager Swiss TecLadies, says: "The mentoring programme was a real success despite the difficulties associated with the pandemic. The creativity of our partners, coupled with the motivation of the girls and the commitment of the mentors, enabled the programme to be successfully implemented with a visible impact."
An evaluation of the mentoring programme shows that the programme has a very positive impact on the young girls. 83 per cent of the mentees feel that the support from the mentor is just right. 89 per cent have a high to very high interest in technology and 71 per cent show a high to very high interest in a technical profession. In addition, the numerous meetings between the mentors and mentees show that the girls value and want to interact with a specialist.
The Swiss TecLadies mentoring programme will take place again in 2022. Interested girls can apply for the programme from March via the online challenge. Further information can be found at www.tecladies.ch.
Swiss TecLadies is financially supported by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) and the Werner Siemens Foundation. Other partners help to publicise the programme, provide mentors or organise company tours and workshops. All information on the programme can be found at www.tecladies.ch.
Contact Edith Schnapper
Edith Schnapper | Programme Manager Swiss TecLadies
+41 44 226 50 26 | edith.schnapper(at)satw.ch
Ester Elices | Communications Manager Promotion of Young Talent
+41 44 226 50 22| ester.elices(at)satw.ch
