Spark, GirlBoss & Zeducation: Opening the Tech Sector to Young Women
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Creating equitable pathways into the technology sector takes more than technical training. It takes confidence, belonging, and real opportunities that allow young women to see themselves in spaces where they have long been outnumbered.
Through a collaborative partnership between Spark NZ, GirlBoss and Zeducation, the Turama Pathways programme was designed to do exactly that. By combining workplace exposure, holistic development, and consistent pastoral support, the programme set out to empower rangatahi wāhine with the skills, mindset, and self-belief needed to step confidently into future careers in technology.
This case study highlights the challenge being addressed, the approach taken, and the outcomes achieved through this partnership.
Case Study Overview
Partners: Spark NZ, GirlBoss & Zeducation
Programme: Turama Pathways Cadetship (Cohort 3) – Supporting Diversity & Equity within the Tech Sector
Timeframe: 24 March – 21 May 2026
Location: Auckland
People Trained: 10 young women
Outcome: 6 cadets offered job placements
Duration: 8-week cadetship plus ongoing pastoral care
Delivery Mode: In-person (Auckland)
Impact at a Glance
100% of cadets finished feeling "there is a place for me in tech" — up from 78% at the start
+25% average confidence lift across every dimension measured
5 /5 workplace confidence post-programme, with every cadet feeling confident working in a team
100% said they would recommend the programme to a friend
67% were the first in their family to pursue a career in tech
The Challenge
Women remain significantly underrepresented across Aotearoa's technology workforce.
While women make up roughly half the working population, they account for only about 27 percent of the engineering and ICT workforce, and just 25 percent of computing professionals. The pipeline starts narrowing early: fewer than 1 in 20 girls considers a career in science, technology, engineering or maths, compared with around 1 in 5 boys.
This disparity reflects not a lack of talent, but a lack of access, exposure, confidence, and environments where young women feel they belong.
For many rangatahi wāhine, stepping into a corporate tech environment can feel intimidating without the right support systems in place. There is a clear need for programmes that combine technical exposure with holistic development, confidence building, and a strong sense of identity.
That is why initiatives like Turama Pathways matter. They are not simply internships. They are pathways to purpose, belonging, and long-term career progression.
(Source: 2018 Census workforce data, as reported by Stats NZ and TechWomen NZ)
Our Response
As part of Spark Foundation's Turama Pathways Cadetship, Zeducation delivered targeted soft skills training alongside pastoral care support designed to strengthen workplace readiness and personal confidence.
Delivery was grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā and the Fono Fale model, ensuring the cadets were supported holistically across wellbeing, identity, relationships, and professional development.
Workshops focused on the practical capabilities employers value, including communication, confidence, teamwork, professionalism, resilience, and navigating workplace expectations. Sessions were interactive and experiential, allowing the cadets to practise skills in real scenarios rather than simply learning theory.
Zeducation facilitators brought strong cultural credibility, lived experience, and coaching expertise, creating safe learning spaces where the cadets felt respected, understood, and motivated to grow.
Outcomes to Date
All 10 young women successfully completed the cadetship experience.
6 of the 10 cadets were offered employment opportunities following the programme.
Participants demonstrated increased confidence, communication ability, and professional behaviour across workplace interactions.
The cadets reported stronger belief in their future career pathways and greater motivation to pursue opportunities within the technology sector.
Employers observed improved engagement, reliability, and readiness for employment environments.
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