Post on 31-Dec-2015
description
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 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
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?
• 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
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