Women in Engineering

Executive recruitment across the country’s leading STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) organisations is changing. One woman is acting as a major driving force behind this change. Former Rolls-Royce Engineering Programme Manager, and AstraZeneca Systems Engineer, Foram Brown, is working with top STEM corporations to design and implement new leadership and executive search solutions to improve professional opportunities for skilled, talented women.

Seeking to help fix societal issues around youth skills development in the STEM sector, engineering business, adi Group marks 2021 with the five-year anniversary of its unique pre apprenticeship scheme. And with the praise of a former Prime Minister, the recognition of a charity backed by HRH The Prince of Wales and the plaudits of a leading engineering society under its belt, it’s safe to say the proposition has had no shortage of support.

Promoting a new way of thinking. Heather Thurlby has launched a female only directory to support and promote female owned and run businesses in the construction and trades. Heather's inspiration for this directory came from a her own personal experience of working within the construction and trade industry, specifically in the heating and engineering sector. But it was born during an unexpected training course she did. She was asked to create a business idea and plan and this is where her journey started.

With the growth in the engineering sector in the last few years, the requirement of additional workers has led to an increasingly diverse workforce especially with the inclusion of women. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) sector has traditionally been male dominated. Guest article written by Rachel Gray, Copywriter for Newcastle College.

There are a host of STEM careers outside the traditional academic pathway, giving young scientists more options than they might have initially thought of. Here, experts from the Graphene Flagship European project explore some of the alternatives available.

Sandvik’s newly appointed executive management member, Nadine Crauwels, has been inducted into The Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Hall of Fame. The induction celebrates Crauwel’s exceptional contributions to the manufacturing sector - at a time when women represent just a third of the world’s STEM graduates.

To celebrate Ada Lovelace Day, six young female engineers have been announced as finalists for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards 2020. These engineering industry awards celebrate women working in modern engineering - and aim to help change the perception that engineering is predominantly a career for men by banishing outdated engineering stereotypes of hard hats and dirty overalls.  

I’m sure by now you know I am passionate about encouraging more females into the tech sector, and we have discussed in previous columns the approaches that help the issue. One of which is encouraging more young females in and nurturing them to grow and hopefully retain them. I got the chance to speak to not one, but two young females in the technology industry and it was so refreshing to hear some positive aspects and stories of young girls not only working in tech but genuinely enjoying it.

According to the latest statistics by Engineering UK, 42% of girls between 14 and 16 would consider a career in engineering. However, only 12.37% of UK engineers are women. The organisers of Advanced Engineering UK have talked to Dr Lina Huertas, Head of Technology Strategy at The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), about her exciting career and about what educators and employers can do to reduce the gender gap.

Science has been the driving force in the modernisation of the world as we know it, yet science as an industry has failed to adequately diversify with the times. While the new digital age offers opportunities to expand interest in and appeal of STEM careers, many barriers still hinder equitable access for all students.