Statistics show that the United Kingdom has the lowest proportion of female engineers of any country in Europe. To overcome this, an event was held yesterday at the John Innes Centre in Norwich to encourage a future generation of female engineers. 

The statistics are pretty damning – of the entire UK engineering workforce, just 9% is female. That is despite 64% of UK engineering employers facing an engineering skills shortage and 85% of talent leaders in a global survey agreeing that a diverse and inclusive workforce drives innovation.

To help raise the profile of women in engineering, the National Women in Engineering Day was created. The aim is to "focus attention on the great opportunities for women in engineering, at a time when it has never been more important to address the engineering skills shortage". By encouraging girls into engineering careers we "will not only be increasing diversity and inclusion – a business imperative – but enabling us to fill the substantial future job opportunities that have been predicted in this sector." 

Here in East Anglia, more than 200 school girls from across the region were invited to the John Innes Centre in Norwich to discuss engineering with representatives from leading businesses such as:

• EDF Energy
  
• Claxton Engineering
  
• Proeon Systems
  
• Hethel Innovation

Speaking ahead of the event, Liz Davis-Smith from the oil and gas skills organisation OPITO told the Eastern Daily Press:

“Although the downturn in oil price continues to impact the industry, it’s important that we continue to open our young people to the possibilities that the industry holds. The energy sector needs good people with the right skills and we can only support this by giving the next generation, women in particular today, a deeper understanding of the diverse range of engineering roles the industry encompasses.”

At People with Energy we regularly recruit for roles in the engineering sector and are always keen to hear from anyone who has the skills our clients are looking for. Whether you are just starting out in the industry or are looking for a change, you may be just the person we are looking for.

You can find full details of all the engineering roles we are currently recruiting for by clicking here.