Jobs for the girls
20 Jul 2012
Less than 10% of engineers in the UK are female – nearly half the proportion found in France and Spain – notes a new report conducted by the UKRC - WISE and sponsored by BAE Systems.
The report suggests that the problem starts at school: girls traditionally opt for English and art subjects rather than maths and physics, thereby closing the doors to many science and technical careers.
“Girls are not progressing with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects due to issues of culture rather than ability, because the minority of girls who pursue STEM subjects do as well if not better than boys,” found UKRC - WISE.
Based on a review of 29 recent research reports into this issue, UKRC - WISE has come up with eight practical suggestions (see below) for a new approach to convince girls that science and technology could be their passport to a rewarding and successful career.
The question is: Would such measures to encourage girls to study STEM subjects at school be enough to turn the tide, or are there barriers further down the line that prevent more women in the UK from becoming engineers?
UKRC - WISE suggestions for getting more girls to consider science-based careers
1. Publish information about the demand for STEM skills and qualifications, particularly the commercial value of maths and science qualifications, so young people and their parents realise the job and career opportunities
2. Show the range of career options, using role models from diverse backgrounds to appeal to whole spectrum of student population.
3. Embed careers information into the teaching of maths and science, from primary school onwards
4. Use social media such as YouTube and Facebook to promote case studies, blogs etc
5. Promote more technician and apprentice case studies
6. Promote more case studies and role models from BME backgrounds
7. Promote more role models from following sectors: technology/computing, chemistry, energy and power, food, materials and built environment
8. Increase collaboration between STEM organisations and initiatives would make a bigger overall impact
