Ladies! Ever considered a career in engineering?
According to Abertay University’s Dr Rebecca Wade, there are some amazing job opportunities in the industry, with projects in Dundee such as the Waterfront development, Hampton Hilton and the V&A on the increase.
Ahead of an event next week to celebrate the achievements of the women working in engineering, and to inspire young girls to consider the profession, Dr Wade said: “We want to raise the profile of women in engineering. There are amazing career opportunities but not that many female students consider it an as option; it’s still perceived as a male dominated industry.
“There are women who are good at maths and science at school but they’re not necessarily guided towards engineering.
“Women in Dundee are doing amazing things for the future of the city – the work of engineers is so often hidden from view, and the fact that women do it is even more difficult to find out about.”
Hosted by Dr Wade, “Gender Balance – Building the Future”, is a National Women in Engineering Day event (NWED) which takes place at Abertay University’s Hannah Maclure Centre on June 23.
Abertay academics have put together a great line-up of inspiring speakers and networking opportunities – plus afternoon tea!
“It’s on the same day as the Referendum but we’re hoping people can vote as well as attend!” said Dr Wade, who teaches civil engineering at Abertay.
Dr Wade said the UK has the lowest percentage of female engineering professionals in Europe, at less than 10%, while Latvia, Bulgaria and Cyprus lead with nearly 30%.
However, opportunities for women to work on projects like Dundee’s Waterfront development are increasing.
Engineering courses at Abertay offer a three-month placement in industry, which can lead to jobs with big international organisations.
One female student has just finished a placement with Balfour Beatty working on the new Dundee railway station, plaza and hotel.
“The experience of the placements give students a different attitude when they go back to university. They go on to get jobs with employers like Dundee City Council, Sir Robert McAlpine and Millard Consulting,” said Dr Wade.
“This year we’ve got seven female students graduating out of around 40. In other year groups, there are no women – it’s not constant – but it’s rarely more than 10%.
“Engineers have no difficulty finding jobs; they’ve got the best employment records. A report in 2014 suggested there’d be a shortage of people in the engineering profession in future if we don’t train more of them. There are great opportunities for both men and women.”
The free NWED event, which runs from 2.30pm to 5pm, is open to the public.
“We were determined to run it during the working day,” said Dr Wade. “We understand many women bear the brunt of duties like caring and want to make it as accessible as possible.
“We’re keen to push equality – that’s at the core of Abertay as an institution.”
Three speakers will talk about their lives and work – Mariana Trusson, who is a Senior Associate with the engineering consultancy Cundall; Allison Johnstone from Equate Scotland; and Dr Nina Baker from Glasgow City Council, who is an independent researcher of engineering history.
All welcome, but places are limited so please sign up via www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gender-balance-building-the-future-national-women-in-engineering-day-event-tickets-25930578057
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Only 9% of the engineering workforce in the UK is female. And only 6% of registered engineers and technicians (i.e. CEng, IEng, EngTech) are women. Source: www.wes.org.uk/statistics
