The event, which this year took place at Linton Village College, Cambridge, on 20th June, is now in its sixth year as part of a global campaign to inspire talented young women into careers in the engineering sector.
East Anglia ONE windfarm developer and world leader in clean energy, ScottishPower Renewables, has supported the eastern event for three years as part of its Skills Strategy.
Victoria Sinclair, Senior Supply Chain Strategy Manager at ScottishPower Renewables commented: “Currently only 12.37% of all engineers in the UK are women* and with growing opportunities in exciting sectors such as offshore wind, it is critical to inspire girls at a grass roots level to continue studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths to help reduce the skills gap. We are also committed to inspiring a diverse future workforce.
“Events like this are really important to dispel the myths and stereotypes of careers in engineering. We want to show girls the diverse opportunities across the offshore wind sector and the interesting and rewarding careers available to them.
“A key part of our East Anglia ONE Skills Strategy is to inspire the future generation of engineers, to provide training and support to enable them to access the jobs available in the burgeoning offshore wind sector."
The event saw pupils from Impington Village College, Linton Village College, Parkside Community College and Swavesey Village College in Cambridgeshire take part in the day. The educational activities and presentations were designed to inspire the students to think about the broad range of exciting career opportunities available to them in less well-known sectors such as aerospace, biomedical, medical technologies, cyber engineering, energy and utilities, nanotechnology, naval and environmental engineering.
The students took part in activities such as cracking codes to gain access to a safe, building towers out of lollipop sticks and clothes pegs, and personality profile quizzes indicating what type of person they are. They also had the opportunity to speak to a host of companies and associations including ScottishPower Renewables, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Laing O’Rouke, Aquaterra Energy, TWI, Peter Brett, Qualcomm, Avena, Briar Chemicals, Morrish Engineering, TTP Labtech, Raptor Aerospace Ltd and the National Crime Agency, showcasing the diversity of engineering careers.
This year’s event coincides with the centenary of the Women’s Engineering Society. Helen Spencer, Director of SETPOINT Hertfordshire, which organised the event commented: “We’re really pleased to be able to work with so many partners in the STEM sector to offer this exciting day of activities for local students. Companies in this part of the country increasingly rely on those with STEM skills, and with advancements in technology and the need to find solutions to health and environmental issues, there’s never been a better time for young people to learn STEM skills. Today’s event showed girls that there are many paths into a fulfilling and flexible career in this region.”
Year 10 student Sophia, who attended the event, added: “I enjoyed talking to the engineers about their careers and how they got there.”
Micha, Year 9, said: “There are many opportunities for what I want to do when I’m older.”
For more information about ScottishPower Renewables’ work in East Anglia please visit www.spreastanglia.co.uk
To learn more about International Women in Engineering Day visit www.inwed.org.uk or search #INWED19 #TransformTheFuture
*According to Engineering UK report 2018
Statistics found here: https://www.wes.org.uk/content/wesstatistics
Schools in attendance:
Suffolk Schools: Beccles Free School, County Upper School, Debenham High School, Hartismere School, Northgate High School, Ormiston Sudbury Academy, Saint Benedicts Catholic School, Stour Valley Community School
Cambridgeshire Schools: Impington Village College, Linton Village College, Parkside Community College, Swavesey Village College
Peterborough Schools: Cromwell Community College, Ken Stimpson Community School, Thomas Clarkson Community College
Norfolk Schools: Jane Austen College, Hellesdon High Schools, Wymondham College, Wymondham High Academy
Bedford Schools Bedford Academy, Castle Newham School, Priory Academy, Stratton Upper School
Luton Schools: Icknield High School