Cornwall’s ground-breaking programme TECgirls will host its first Impact Celebration on Thursday [October 16] at Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Porthtowan.

The event will shine a spotlight on the achievements, growth and impact of TECgirls, while bringing together educators, industry leaders, mentors and changemakers to recognise the progress being made in empowering girls across the region to explore technology, engineering, and creative (TEC) careers.

The evening will also see the launch of the 2025 TECgirls Attitudes Report, a landmark study based on surveys of 651 Year 9 students across Cornwall. The report reveals a generation full of potential but facing barriers such as lack of confidence, lack of real-world role models, and unclear pathways into thriving TEC careers.

Findings show that less than two per cent of girls in Cornwall say they want to be engineers, only 3.5 per cent plan to take computing at GCSE, and 54 per cent of girls feel they are not good at coding compared to 32 per cent of boys.

Without urgent action, these gaps risk reinforcing inequality in some of the fastest-growing, best-paid, and most influential sectors of the economy.

Throughout the event, attendees will hear inspiring stories from TECgirls participants, mentors and teachers, explore a forward-looking vision for 2026 and beyond, and connect with local industry leaders, educators and changemakers. The celebration will highlight how TECgirls is driving change across the far South West, engaging and inspiring the next generation to explore futures in TEC.

The TECgirls Impact Celebration takes place from 5pm to 8.30pm and is an adult-only event. Soft drinks and light bites will be provided, with a paid bar available.

Tickets are required, with all proceeds going directly to support parent social enterprise TECwomen CIC’s work across Cornwall to increasing gender diversity in the TEC sectors. www.tecgirls.co.uk