Overcoming the gender gap in Engineering.

In Engineering, it’s hard to escape the stereotypical vision of hard hats and blueprints. Imagination also leaves little room for female representation within the industry. It’s no secret that Engineering faces a serious gender imbalance. Despite all efforts to encourage women to study engineering, Q3 2020 data revealed that 14.5% of those working in engineering in the UK are females. Although this is a substantial 2.5% increase since 2018, this is nowhere near the desired levels.

Why is female representation at such a low level? Women have historically worked within professions which force them to embody the role of the caregiver within society (e.g. teaching or nursing). Despite girls typically outperforming boys when given the opport unity to study engineering, female engineers remain a minority. It’s commonly misconceived that women will either not have the strength or will be unheard when placed against males in the workplace. Sexism and the fear of being treated less than equal is a common fear amongst female engineers.

What causes women to leave engineering?

Around 40% of women that study engineering, do not progress on to work in the field. One study revealed that a lack of fellow female engineers and mentors created an isolated environment for them. Alm ost ½ of the surveyed women said they were discouraged by working conditions, such as too much travel, lack of advancement, low salary, or inflexible/non-supportive climates.

Alternatively, women who stay in engineering do so for the same reasons as men – company investment in training and development, contribution recognition, and advancement opportunities. It's important for organisations not to rely on innovations stemming just from males and females but from a diversity of cultures and ideas. Project teams work better not when there are more women or more men, but when there is a diverse group of people challenging each other to reach a shared goal.

How can we address the gender gap in Engineering?

1. Introduce Role Models.

Make engineering cool for women. How can a girl decide that she wants to be an engineer if she has no one to look up to?

2. Introduce work experience or apprenticeships.

The introduction of after-school, classroom programs could help girls recognise their interest in engineering, while simultaneously reducing the ‘male-only’ stigma associated with it.

3. Consider flexible options.

Flexible hours and childcare should be promoted to enhance the attrition rates of female employees.

1.8 million new engineers and technicians are needed in the UK by 2025. The industry needs to move away from the perception of hard hats and blueprints, to represent the diversity that organisations would like to attract. Stereotypes that evolve at a school level must be challenged in order to de-stigmatize the association of women in engineering.

At Kelly, we know how advantageous inter-organisational diversity can be in creating a successful system. We pride ourselves on maintaining and nurturing a diverse pool of talent to supply to our partners. Want to access the next generation of engineering talent? Find out more about how we can support your organisation here .

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Navigating Career Crossroads: Your Guide to a Fulfilling Your Next Career Move!

12 Feb, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.

September Surge – Our Top Tips for Job Seekers

by Shazamme System User • 07 Sept, 2023

Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer, this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices. co.uk. Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!

Change. How to turn your fear into fuel for a rocket move and wake up in a different reality.

28 Aug, 2023

Rephrasing the famous song, “Love is in the air”, let’s talk about change is in the air – and everywhere. We grow. We change. Look at your childhood photos. Watch your kid, your nephew, your niece. The change is there, and it’s incredible. Nature is constantly changing. We wait for summer as the time to enjoy outdoor activities and gardening, for a quick visit to the beach, or simply take time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. We wait for winter (even if we never see snow falling) to decorate the house for the holidays, pack presents for the people we love and unpack our own. The colour of the leaves changes, the weather shifts, and flowers blossom in their time – the landscape is constantly transforming. The world around us is changing. We travel to other countries and learn new things, cultures and languages. We take on new hobbies. We get new skills. After a couple of minor kitchen accidents (sometimes), we can cook delicious dishes and get compliments from family and friends. We transform our bodies at the gym or simply by creating the habit of walking every day. We meet new people, we sometimes fall in love, we build families, we have kids. And if you step back for a second, you realise you might have met your other half by pure accident. But you took a leap of faith into the unknown. We embrace many types of unknown change, except for the one that can change how we live five days a week – to change jobs. “I am too old/too young to change”, “I’m used to this environment; It’s my comfort zone”, “Well, I don’t get any promotion, and what I do doesn’t change the world, but it’s stable”, “I am afraid to ask for more interesting projects. What if my manager fires me?”. We often don’t want to change because that step requires a vision, courage, external support, and a leap of faith into the unknown. Scary? Yes. But also promising. A step into the unknown? Yes. But it can open a new door. Do your inner values marry what you do? Yes, it is essential. There is nothing terrible about staying in your comfort zone. At some stage of your career, staying put can be an excellent decision. But if you feel that you need a change – talk to Kelly. We don’t mind going the extra mile and support your wish to embrace the change. The one which will give meaning to what you do, feel proud, motivated and fulfilled. Ready for changing? We’ll make sure your talent can truly shine.