JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016 - 172

'It is so important to dispel the
myths around engineering and
demonstrate how creative it is'
projects, educational opportunities and
jobs. Giving them this support and
encouragement helps them to progress
towards a future in a STEM career.'
Many female engineers are also taking
up the mantle to encourage more young
women into the field by becoming
ambassadors for STEM careers.
'I am so passionate about the industry
that the opportunity to speak to school
children - especially girls - about the
wonderful careers available in engineering is
very rewarding,' says one such ambassador,
Natalie Desty, 31, Manager for Matchtech,
a leading engineering recruitment agency.
She continues: 'It is so important to
dispel the myths around engineering and
to demonstrate the creative, innovative,
progressive, professional and well-paid
careers available within the sector.'

Cultural diversity
Educating women on the opportunities
within engineering is one half of the battle.
The other is improving the culture of
diversity within companies themselves.
Jenny Young, Diversity Manager at the
Royal Academy of Engineering, agrees
that a more inclusive working culture is
essential. 'Engineering has been dominated
by white British males, and that is still the
case in the main. It's vital that companies
provide a working culture that is welcoming
and rewarding for every kind of person
- a place where people feel they want to
stay and grow.'
And many companies are doing just
that: they are implementing female
recruitment programmes, launching
women's networking schemes and
encouraging existing engineers to
become STEM mentors.
'I have seen a lot of changes in the
industry,' says Natalie. 'A lthough
engineering is still struggling to make

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progress in diversity in terms of numbers,
attitudes within the industry and
initiatives to get more women involved
have advanced a great deal.
'Engineering is about design and
innovation. It is starting to lose its heavy,
dirty image, which historically has
had a negative impact on how women
perceive it. The women who I meet in
the sector are proud to be working in
engineering and contributing to some
truly amazing projects.'
Engineering firms are keen to recruit
women, not just because there's a general
skills shortage, but because they are
recognising that diverse teams can
produce more innovative ideas.
Natalie agrees: 'There's a large skills gap.
Candidates who apply themselves will not
only find they have a good job after school,
college or university, but that they are in
a sector where they can really
develop their career.
'Engineering is one of the
most innovative, diverse
and exciting careers out
there. It offers
plentiful
opportunities
to work on
life-changing
projects, have
an impact on
future economic
development and
contribute to a sector that
is continually evolving.
'I can't think of another sector
that offers all of the above and is actively
marketing itself at women.
'There has never been a better time to
become an engineer.'
Visit wes.org.uk, engineergirl.org and
wisecampaign.org.uk for more advice
and inspiration.

The government
is launching
#NOTJUSTFORBOYS
to encourage women
into traditionally
male careers.
http://wes.org.uk http://www.engineergirl.org http://wisecampaign.org.uk
JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016

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