Part of my role is early engagement, giving children and teachers insight into engineering and rail jobs. My team is working hard to deliver a series of events for the Year of Engineering campaign.
The campaign is important to people in different ways, for different reasons.
The campaign is important to people in different ways, for different reasons.
We face a skills shortage. We have forecast skills gaps in the future. Too few children are making choices at school that will allow them to have enough choices at university or when entering the workplace, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths.
If we don't see an increase in interest and uptake in #stem subjects, the gap will only worsen and the country, and people, won't have the skills needed for vital roles.
Children need guidance to make these important decisions. So the people who influence them, are key.
Children need guidance to make these important decisions. So the people who influence them, are key.
For me, the year of engineering campaign isn't only about showing children the fantastic jobs, learning and fulfilment a career in stem can bring, but about helping the people who will influence, inspire, support and develop them to see this too. To be confident in those talks.
Too few girls in particular, are choosing engineering and sciences at schools. Role models in these jobs are less visible, because women make up just 9% of the UK for engineering workforce.
I work with so many passionate, enthusiastic, skilled and commited people, who use their time to go to schools, events and talks, being those visible role models. Showcasing how they use the skills they've gained in their jobs, everyday, and the enjoyment this brings.
To achieve true equity, we need to give focus to young girls at this pivotal decision making time. Because they are still a minority in the engineering sector, so are at risk of thinking these jobs just "aren't for them". So we need to go out of our way to show, they are!
So for me a huge opportunity in this campaign, is to celebrate the women working in these roles, make them visible and make them accessible, so young people, their parents and the people who influence them, can see the reality, and change perception.
"You can't be what you can't see". Engineering holds such a vast array of opportunity. Boys tend to know the route is open to them. Girls need a bit more encouragement to know that it's for them, too.
