Brussels,
02
September
2021
|
10:00
Europe/Amsterdam

Breaking stereotypes on girls and STEM

Summary
  • Toyota wants to reflect European society’s diversity in its workplace, especially in STEM*1-related positions
  • To this end, Toyota launches its Girls STEM the Future programme partnering with JA Europe and Inspiring Girls International
  • The programme aims to inspire schoolgirls to explore careers in STEM areas through interaction with female role models from Toyota

Brussels, 2 September 2021 – At Toyota we want to increase the number of women in STEM related positions. But, as data also shows, there are simply not enough women choosing STEM careers, in fact, only 18% in Europe*2. Looking deeper, just 26% of schoolgirls are interested in STEM subjects. Studies have shown that this can almost double when kids have a role model !*3

That’s why Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has launched its Girls STEM the Future programme aimed at bringing schoolgirls in direct contact with role models – women working in our company.

Through the Girls STEM the Future programme Toyota role models interact with schoolgirls in classroom sessions, on-site visits at our Research & Development centre, innovation camps and online video hub.
Ann Heylen, Role model at TME R&D
Respect for people is key in our company’s philosophy. We aim to reflect the diversity of our society creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, heard and contributes. With this  programme we want to show young women the diverse and interesting opportunities that are available for them at Toyota.
Monica Perez Lobo, Head of Sustainability & ESG, TME

TME partners with JA Europe, the continent's largest education programme provider, and Inspiring Girls International, dedicated to raising young girls’ aspirations in order to reach as many schoolgirls as possible.

At Junior Achievement we believe in the power of entrepreneurial mindsets, in tackling the biggest challenges of our times. This includes using digital innovation and entrepreneurship in order to make the mobility sector more inclusive and to attract more young girls into STEM education and careers. With Toyota Motor Europe we will empower the next generation of Europeans with the skills to embrace the tremendous opportunities ahead.
Salvatore Nigro, CEO JA Europe
At Inspiring Girls, we believe passionately that every young woman should feel free to choose whatever she wants to do in life but we also know that there is dire under-representation of women in STEM fields. This partnership with Toyota Motor Europe is an exciting opportunity to introduce young women to a full variety of opportunities available to them in the automotive industry and inspire them to aim high!
Miriam González Durántez, Founder and Chair of Inspiring Girls International

*1 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Note: The actual scope of the programme is STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Even though the programme is called Girls STEM the Future, the activities include Arts which is key for car design functions)

*2 Eurostat, 2019

*3 Microsoft and KRC Research, 2018

Toyota Motor Europe

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts and accessories, and Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly employs around 25,000 people in Europe and has invested over EUR 10 billion since 1990. Toyota’s operations in Europe are supported by a network of 29 National Marketing and Sales Companies across 53 countries, a total of around 3,000 sales outlets, and nine manufacturing plants. In 2020, Toyota sold 993,113 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Europe.

Toyota believes that when people are free to move, anything is possible. In the pursuit of "Ever Better Mobility for All", Toyota aims to create more inclusive and sustainable mobility, a society in which everyone can challenge their impossible. With the aim of contributing to global environmental sustainability, Toyota has developed the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 to address key global environmental issues. For more information, visit www.toyota-europe.com.

JA (Junior Achievement) Europe

JA Europe is the largest non-profit in Europe dedicated to preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship. JA Europe is a member of JA Worldwide® which for 100 years has delivered hands on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. JA creates pathways for employability, job creation and financial success. Last school year, the JA network in Europe reached almost 4 million young people across 40 countries with the support of nearly 100,000 business volunteers and over 140,000 teachers/educators.

Inspiring Girls International

Inspiring Girls International is a charity, founded by Miriam González Durántez, dedicated to raising the aspirations of young girls aged 11 to 15 around the world by connecting them with amazing female role models. We introduce young women to the full variety of careers and options in life and inspire them to aim high!