Public backs women as engineers

The survey, which coincides with International Women’s Day, also reveals 84% of respondents would support their school-aged daughter if she decided to become an engineer.

Women are missing out on the huge career opportunities in engineering

Helen Meese, IMechE head of healthcare

Despite public opinion, however, currently just 6% of the UK’s engineering workforce is female.

“Women are missing out on the huge career opportunities in engineering,” said Helen Meese, chartered engineer and head of healthcare at the IMechE.

“But the results of this survey are encouraging and show that there is appetite for change,” Meese added.

The survey also tackles grass-roots issues, with 78% of those surveyed voicing support for more engineering to be included in the school curriculum.

“Engineering opens doors to hugely creative and rewarding career paths, from creating the next generation of greener, more efficient technologies, to developing life-saving procedures used in hospitals,” Meese said.

“We think it is vital that in addition to learning about volcanoes and photosynthesis, children are also taught about the manufactured world and understand the principles of objects, such as a phone touchscreen or a dialysis machine.”

Meanwhile, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has launched its 2016 Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards (YWE) and has called on successful, young female engineers to enter.

Naomi Climer, president of the IET, said: “To coincide with International Women’s Day, we want to make it clear that engineering is a fantastic career for women. Not only that – but there are thousands of female engineers doing amazing things in everything from healthcare technology to space exploration.”

Climer said the awards are designed to showcase some of the best female engineering talent in the UK and encourage girls – and boys – to get excited about the possibilities of an engineering career.