Semta reveals significant growth in female engineering apprentices
06/03/2012 Enginuity
-But women could still take 50 years to catch up-Women are waking up to career opportunities in science, engineering and manufacturing - but it could take them at least 50 years to catch up with male counterparts according to Sector Skills Council Semta.
The data, released today ahead of this year's International Women's Day on the 8 March, shows an 84 per cent rise in the number of women taking an engineering apprenticeship between 2002 and 2010 - 20 per cent higher than the male increase for the same period (64 per cent).
But, with women taking up only five per cent of available places, it will take at least 50 years at current growth rates for there to be an equivalent proportion of male to female apprentices.
The shocking prediction makes it clear that action needs to be taken with EU data showing that the UK has the lowest number of female engineers in the whole of Europe - only nine per cent of UK engineering professionals are women compared to 18 per cent in Spain, 26 per cent in Sweden and 20 per cent in Italy.
Said Semta chief executive Philip Whiteman: "At Semta, we know that businesses in our sectors will need 82,000 new engineers, scientists and technicians between now and 2016. Apprenticeships are extremely important in helping meet this recruitment need and also present an opportunity for young people looking for a valuable and rewarding career.
"Women represent half the UK workforce but only account for 21 per cent of science, engineering and manufacturing employees. They are a great untapped resource at a time when we need a wealth of new talent and higher level skills to improve competitiveness. We need to keep up the momentum on apprenticeship growth as these are high skilled, well-rewarded opportunities which should be attractive to all - regardless of gender. "
Semta is working with employers to help remove perceived barriers to apprentice hiring and has female focused programmes in place which have so far supported and developed more than 400 female employees across the UK.
The Career Investment and Progression Programme, jointly funded by employers and Semta, has led to a new qualification - the EAL Level 3 Award in Career Advancement and Progression (QCF) - which helps individuals manage themselves and have a significant positive impact on their career development. It covers setting and managing career goals, communicating effectively to different audiences in a business context and the importance of developing and managing a positive personal reputation and image.
Take-up has been extremely positive by companies such as BAE Systems, Atkins, Johnson Controls Automotive Experience and Babcock.
Women who work in the sector will be sharing their experiences with business leaders, MPs, peers and training providers at the House of Lords on Thursday to highlight how, through support and their own efforts, they have developed their careers.
Meg Farnworth, a Senior Supply Chain Manager and currently Chairperson for the BAE Systems Women's Network Committee in Barrow said: "The course gave me a kick in the backside to refocus my attention on what my expectations are for my career path and what I could do to influence it.
"A number of women attending have provided feedback to the Women's Network whereby, they not only felt they had benefited from the course in realising their self worth, but also this has led to increased confidence which has positively resulted in both promotion or recognition."
Caroline Brown, International Business Head (Nuclear) at global engineering and design consultancy Atkins, was among 50 colleagues on Semta's Career Investment and Progression Programme. She said: "Women's differences can be their strengths. Whereas I might have previously tried to fit-in to succeed, I now know I don't have to do that. For helping me understand this, Semta's Career Investment and Progression Programme is the most relevant and valuable set of courses I have ever attended."
Employers interested in finding out more about apprenticeships, The Career Investment and Progression Programme and the support Semta can offer should contact Customer Services: customerservices@semta.org.uk Web: www.semta.org.uk
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