Workshop Session 2

Attracting More Women into Science, Engineering & Technology

Sarah Pemberton, Services for Women Coordinator(Careers & Employment)

Veronica Benson, South East Hub Manager

ICG HE Advisers Community ConferenceWednesday 10 June 2009

UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering,Technologywww.ukrc4setwomen.org

Programme

• Introduction• Issues related to gender stereotyping and how to

address them• What are the barriers facing women pursuing SET

careers?• Why it is important to increase the number of women

in SET• Sources of information and advice to support the

work of careers advisers

Why did you choose this workshop?

Why does the UKRC exist?

Skills Shortage in SET sectors

UK needs more talented scientists, engineers and technologists

UKRC Mission

“to improve the position and the participation of women in science,

engineering, technology and the built environment”

What are we doing?

Employers & Organisations

•Gender Equality Training•Cultural Analysis Survey•Advise on employment practice and flexible working

Women 19+ Level 3+

•Enter•Progress•Return

Supporting women in SET

UKRC

South East Hub

Scottish Hub

Welsh Hub

UK Resource Centrefor women in SET

Government funded

Occupations

Nurse Lawyer Electrician

Secretary Mechanical EngineerAccountant Hairdresser

Primary School Teacher Plumber Doctor

Airline pilot Administrator

HR Manager IT Consultant

Occupational Segregation

Three-quarters of working-women are still found in just 5 occupational groups

• Associate professional and technical (e.g. nursing, teaching)

• Admin and secretarial work• Personal services (caring for children/elderly people)• Sales and customer service• Non-skilled manual work

The vast majority of jobs in these sectors pay less than in

the sectors where men predominate

SET Occupational Gender Splits

• 15% ICT professionals are women• 5% professional engineers are female • 19% building professionals • 39% science professionals (but only 13%

female professors in bioscience)

Where are we now?

• Girls make up 42.4% of A level students in STEM

subjects • Women make up 33.5% of all higher education

(HE) students in SET disciplines• Women represent 19% of SET workforce• Women hold 9.0% of directorships in the UK FTSE

100 companies in SET sectors • 8.0% of all SET professors are female

Self Stereotyping

Family, Friends, Peers and Media

Schools, STEMPoints

Careers Professionals

Employers

Post 16 Education & Training

Professional Institutes, Sector Skills Councils

National Regional Policy

Who influences career choice?

How do we address occupational segregation?

• Challenge young women’s assumptions/career choices (not all engineers wear hard hats)

• Make them aware of the range of careers in SET• Make them aware that the highest earnings are

achieved in male-dominated, graduate professions

What are the barriers preventing girls and women pursuing SET careers?

In groups discuss and find 9

What are the barriers preventing girls and women pursuing SET careers?

• Lack of role models

• Lack of publicity aimed at women

• Perceived lack of job opportunities

• Lack of confidence

• Low expectations of others

• Lack of encouragement/family support

• Isolation/lack of support

• Lack of flexible/part-time working

• Male-dominated culture

Why our work is important

Quick Quiz

• What percentage of the workforce will be white, male and under 45 by 2011?A) 33 B) 45 C) 50

• What percentage of women with SET qualifications are working in SET?A) 19% B) 34% C) 46%

• How many women with SET qualifications return to SET work after a career break?

A) 1/3 B) 1/2 C) 3/4

Why do we need more women in SET?

• Address skills shortages• Avoid wasted talent• A more diverse workforce leads to greater

innovation• Better working environment

Our resources and services

• Website– SET sector careers information for girls and

women– Networks and support for women in SET– Case studies and role models– Research & statistics

• 1-1 support and employability workshops for 19+/Level 3+

Gender Equality Training

A one-day programme to:• raise awareness of:

– the need for widening career choice for women– factors affecting entry into non-traditional

careers for women– implicit and explicit stereotyping in careers

guidance and education• reflect on strategies to overcoming gender

stereotyping when offering guidance or information to girls and women

How can we help you?

Workshop Session 2

Attracting More Women into Science, Engineering & Technology

Sarah Pemberton, Services for Women Coordinator(Careers & Employment)

Veronica Benson, South East Hub Manager

ICG HE Advisers Community ConferenceWednesday 10 June 2009

UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering,Technologywww.ukrc4setwomen.org