Sisters can do it for themselves (From Free Press Series)

Sisters can do it for themselves

A NATIONAL award scheme is urging Torfaen to harness girl power. The British Female Inventors and Innovators Network Awards have asked young women to submit ideas for pioneering inventions.

It's all in a bid to encourage more girls to consider becoming entrepreneurs and starting non-traditional careers.

This year Wales' leading women's enterprise agency, Chwarae Teg, is encouraging Torfaen schools and colleges to enter female pupils' projects for the Young Innovator award, held in London.

Judges are asking under 14s and under 18s to submit inventions that would improve the quality of everyday life and explain why.

Chwarae Teg manage a European-funded project called Ready SET Go, which aims to encourage more women to pursue non-traditional career paths in the fields of science, engineering and technology.

Bev Pould Ready SET Go Project Manager said: "We want to encourage young girls to break the mould by exploring opportunities beyond the usual career routes.

"We believe that teachers and lecturers have an important part to play in encouraging young women to become the innovators of the future."

Past Welsh Woman of the year Jackie Royall - Operations Director at Buy as You View said: "Entering a prestigious national competition such as this is the ideal way to spark students' interest in the wide range of options out there."

All entries for the award must be in by January 27 but organisers are keen to stress that projects completed within the curriculum could meet the criteria for entry and to check the awards website at www.gwiin.com/awards.

A prize of £200 will be awarded to the winner along with an invitation to attend the award ceremony in London on February 21.