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Attracting more female talent to the UK engineering sector and retaining those people is vital for economic growth and financial stability. Britain suffers from an acute shortage of engineers: according to Heatrecruitment, 1.8 million new engineers and technicians are needed by 2025. However, some may say this figure has or will dramatically change due to the Coronavirus.
Donnelly from the Guardian infers ‘Sustained efforts to persuade women to pursue engineering careers is yielding fruit, albeit slowly’. “When WES started in 1919, there were no female engineers, and 50 years later only half a percent of all engineers in the UK were women,” “Now, we’re beginning to make quite considerable inroads, so it’s an exciting time to join a sector that will change radically over the next 50 years.” Data from WISE conferms ‘that there are now just over a million women in core-STEM; representing an increase of over 350,000 in the last ten years. This means that women now make up 24% of the core-STEM workforce.
The 100 Influential Women in UK Engineering list showcases exceptional women role models, from organisations such as Arup, BAE Systems, Dyson, Laing O’Rourke and Network Rail. Brief comments from three of those women are as follows:
Jane Atkinson, Executive Director of Engineering and Automation for Bilfinger UK, had been named number one on the list. She said: “Having good role models is critical to attracting new diverse talent. In the engineering world, there are many jobs and professions that an engineer can do, getting the public to understand this and show people that anyone can do it will ultimately make engineering more attractive.”
Elizabeth Oni-Iyiola, Development Director at Inclusive Boards, said: “Engineers have an impact on almost every area of our day to day lives. Those featured are role models who inspire those around them and demonstrate leadership and influence in the work that they do.”
Bridget Rosewell CBE, Senior Independent Director at Network Rail, said: “It is not only about engaging women, but there is also a need to engage men more effectively to promote an inclusive working environment. The workplace should be family-friendly by incorporating more flexible working hours. There is also a need to respect and value distinction and difference.”
Out of interest, for those who have time, an interesting read can be found at the following link:
Engineering a time for change: https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2019/jun/26/how-changing-attitudes-are-closing-the-gender-gap-in-engineering
Additionally, links to StemWomen and WES can also be found below:
https://www.stemwomen.co.uk/blog/2019/09/women-in-stem-percentages-of-women-in-stem-statistics
VE Day is soon to be upon us and we should not forget Beatrice ‘Tilly’ Shilling; originally one of Margaret Partridge’s apprentices, the founder member of the Women's Engineering Society ( WES). Beatrice invented an adaption to Spitfire and Merlin engines (nicknamed Miss Shilling’s Orifice by the RAF) which stopped the engines flooding during manoeuvres, thus preventing the aircraft from crashing. This modification was thought to have played a significant role in Britain’s ability to win the Battle of Britain.
Inspiring either sexes into engineering, science or computer based subjects has been, in the past couple of decades, an uphill struggle. However, over the past few years I have witnessed that tide change direction mainly through the apprenticeship schemes. We must all play our part and do our utmost to engage with young people and inspire them into our world. Lets keep up the good work.
