News from Women's Engineering Society

Women's Engineering Society

e-newsletter July 2013

Welcome to this month's newsletter

This month read about the WES Conference 'Harnessing the Energy' online registration will open soon.

WES is also looking for volunteers to help with running the society, if you think you can help please get in touch. We are celebrating our 95th Anniversary next year, if you would like to be involved with any of the events being planned, again please get in touch.

The newsletter will keep you up to date with WES events taking place in 2013 as well as those across the extended WES Community.

We always enjoy receiving and sharing your news and events, so please let us know what you are doing and we will share it with our readers.

And don't forget if you aren't already a WES member why not join a society that continues to inspire and support women in Engineering, Science and Technology.

Best wishes

the e-News team

Where do women engineering graduates

WES along with UCL staff and other engineering and technology employers for an evening discussion around graduate recruitment and share ideas on encouraging more women to transition into technical jobs.

Where do women engineering graduates go?

Women engineering students are achieving more first and upper second degrees than their male colleagues yet male students secure more jobs in industry, according to the HE STEM Jobs for the boys? report published as part of the UCL led HE STEM, Set to Lead project.

What do women engineering students want to do?

The same report found women engineering and technology students just as keen to work in technical jobs as men. So why aren't they?

What steps are helping women students use their degrees?

Come along and find out. Register now at the website

in association with Sagent Recruitment.

Amy Johnson Lecture

The Amy Johnson Named Lecture is being held on July 8, and is to be given by Gretchen Haskins, Group Director Safety Regulation, UK Civil Aviation Authority. Her lecture will be entitled 'Managing Risk Across the Aviation System'. Gretchen has a fascinating curriculum vitae, having been a fast jet pilot in the US Air Force and also held a senior role at NATS.

The lecture is free to attend for both RAeS members and non-members, for more details visit the website.

Research into Women in Engineering: can you help

WES has been approached by a recruitment expertise & HR consultancy to Engineering firms in the South West of England, which is conducting market analysis on the subject of Women in Engineering. Apart from completing a short online questionnaire, the company is also looking for 10 people to interview on camera. Are you able to take part or could you pass the information to someone who could?

Director Matt Goulette explains as follows:

"The idea is that we get a snapshot of the state of Women in Engineering in 2013, produce a report and distribute this as a springboard for discussion. We fully intend this to take a minimal amount of time on the part of the organisations we are approaching, while being a useful reference at the end.

We already have some major engineering companies on board to help with this, and I am currently approaching engineering and manufacturing companies of all shapes and sizes across the South West to participate. The results will not only be sent to all participants, but will also be shared on social media and will hopefully spark a debate as to what the current situation is, without any preconceived assumptions.

At this stage, the analysis takes the form of a short online questionnaire, which you can complete online. This is best completed by a Human Resources / Personnel department as it contains basic questions about intake and policy info. If you know of anyone who could help us with this, then please feel free to pass this on. We would be particularly interested in those organisations who have some sort of base in the South West, but this is not compulsory as it is data we are after, so to anyone who can fill out the questionnaire we would be most grateful.

We are also looking to provide case studies of at least 10

women who work in the sector, including female graduates with a technical degree, or women working in technical roles, or who have progressed in to management / board and have a technical background, who may be interested in being interviewed for our case studies. We would ideally film the interviews but this is not absolutely necessary if you are camera shy, and can be done over Skype or Facetime, or could indeed take the form of a recorded telephone call.

The Graduate Engineer Show

Wednesday 30th October 2013

The Graduate Engineer Show - 2013 brings together some of the greatest businesses in the engineering field with emerging engineering talent of tomorrow. The show is to be held at the iconic Derby Roundhouse at the centre of the UK's engineering heritage.

For the first time, over 1000 engineering students and graduates from some of the UK's leading engineering faculties, will assemble to meet with some of the UK's most prestigious businesses.

Entry for visitors is free.

For more details and registration visit the website

WES Conference - 4 October 2013

Harnessing the Energy

This Women's Engineering Society one day conference is the annual opportunity for women in engineering and related technologies to get together and 'harness their energy'.

This technical event for the non energy specialist has been designed to give delegates an overview of a range of energy technologies including nuclear, renewable, oil and gas, fracking, community energy, the low carbon economy, energy efficiency and public opinion, given by leading experts in these fields. It will also contain one session for early career speakers who will give a snapshot of their work, telling a good story in context, informing and entertaining their audience. Keep your wits about you in this quick fire session! The conference is chaired by Professor Isobel Pollock, who welcomes us to the home of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, where she is Immediate Past President.

The Karen Burt Award for the best newly qualified Chartered Engineer is also awarded on the day to the winning candidate, who will tell us about her work and what she has achieved to help her win the award.

CPD Parallel Session

A parallel session running alongside the technical conference will give delegates the opportunity to complete some Professional Development

* EW Group CEO Jane Farrell will deliver a session on the barriers to progressing your career in engineering, how to spot unconscious bias in operation, and what you can practically do about it.

* Kat Sandford from STEMnet will give an overview and introduction to the STEM Ambassadors scheme, followed by a facilitated discussion about our latest WES initiative, the Young WES membership category. Anyone interested in promoting engineering in schools will find session interesting.

* Daria Cybulska, Programme Manager of Wikimedia UK, will explain how to run a Wikipedia Edit-o-thon, with a view to increasing the presence of women and especially women in engineering on Wikipedia

But the real energy of the day comes from the delegates. This is a great opportunity to meet old and new acquaintances, network, and engage with WES to find out more about the great work that has been going on all year, and if you want to stay on for a drink and join us for the AGM, then you are very welcome to do so. You may even feel inspired to join our Council!

Session 1: Chair Professor Isobel Pollock

* Last Gasp or Second Wind for Nuclear Fusion Dame Sue Ion

* Oil and Gas Madeleine Brown, BP

* UK Shale Gas: Frack On, Frack Off or Frack Well? Professor Zoe Shipton, University of Strathclyde

Session 2: Chair Dr Stephanie Merry Sector Advisor, Renewable Energy Association

* Shiva Dowlatshahi, Siemens

* Nanocrystal Solar Cell: Fabrication and Characterisation Philippa Hardy, University of Leeds

* Environmental Challenges within the Civil Aerospace Industry Holly Driver, Rolls Royce plc

* A Match Made in Smart Grid Heaven: Retailers and Diesel Generators Laura Daniels, Marks and Spencers

* Observing the Everyday in Terms of Energy Use in the Home Tara Hughes, University of Salford

* Energy Modelling of Buildings in the Tesco Estate, Maria Spyrou, Loughborough University and Tesco

* Operational Energy Use of Buildings and How to Improve Predictions Anna Menezes, AECOM

* Biomass and the Carbon Neutral Economy Orla Williams, University of Nottingham

Session 3: Chair Carol Marsh, WES Vice President, Selex ES

* Renewable Energy Overview Gaynor Hartnell (CEO) and Stephanie Merry, Renewable Energy Association

* Renewable Gas Alison Cartwright, cngservices Ltd

* Karen Burt Award Presentation made by WES President Milada Williams

Session 4: Chair Professor Isobel Pollock

* Why Local Energy Systems are Essential for a Low Carbon Future Dr Mary Gillie Energetic UK Ltd

* Public Attitudes to the UK's Energy Challenges Antonia Dickman, Ipsos Mori

* Energy Efficiency Rebecca Ward, Cambridge University

Costs: WES Member/Concession Member £50/£30; Non-members/student £90/£45 (early bird prices also available)

Registration online will be live soon, but if you want to reserve a place now or would like further details please contact the WES Office.

Put a Woman Engineer on our Bank Notes

In a letter to the Bank of England today the Women's Engineering Society - the oldest organisation of women engineers in the world - have argued the case for keeping a woman on one of the UK's bank notes, suggesting that by choosing a woman who has excelled in a non-traditional role we would be sending out a great message to young people.

Dawn Bonfield, WES's Vice President says "Young girls need to see that women can succeed in non-traditional roles, and we need to start celebrating the achievements of our pioneering women. We have suggested that one of our electrical engineers such as Caroline Haslett could be featured, or the pilot Amy Johnson. Both women have been past Presidents of the Women's Engineering Society. Ada Lovelace was another well known woman who has made it in a non-traditional career, and this is something we need to talk about and celebrate."

Showing role models in this way will send a clear message to the whole population and especially to young girls that it's not only men who have been successful in these technical careers, and that we need their input today more than ever. With a skills shortage in engineering forecast it is vital that we encourage girls to consider engineering as a career option.

Next year the Women's Engineering Society will be 95 years old, and was formed originally by the women who took up engineering during World War One when the men were away at war. They will be celebrating this anniversary and also commemorating the start of WW1 with the launch of a National Women in Engineering Day on 23 June 2014. They are calling for

organisations and schools to put this date in their diary and start thinking of ways to celebrate our pioneering women in engineering and finding ways of encouraging the next generation of women to consider this exciting career

Employers struggling to get staff but need to do much more to fix the problem

Employers are increasingly struggling to recruit engineering, IT and technical recruits with the right skills, but many admit that they are doing nothing to fix this problem, which is only set to get worse.

The findings are revealed in the Institution of Engineering and Technology's (IET) eighth annual Engineering and Technology: Skills & Demand in Industry report.

In spite of confidence being down, just 20 per cent of employers said that they plan to retrain existing staff despite this being a key way of preventing them from leaving the profession after having already been trained. Almost a quarter of companies said they are planning no actions to recruit the staff they need. While some employers seem to recognise the need to engage with the education system, a third of those that don't said it was because they see no benefit in doing so.

Prof Andy Hopper CBE, IET President, said: "Companies tell us that they are recruiting for business expansion and diversification. This will be put in jeopardy if they cannot encourage engineers to join them. Our skills survey shows that many of the UK's engineering employers are suffering from engineering skills gaps, shortages and an ageing workforce, and this will only get worse in the future when huge numbers of engineers and technicians are forecast to be needed for new infrastructure and energy projects.

"There are many actions that could and are being taken in schools, with careers advice and in further and higher education that would make a difference. The IET and the engineering institutions are playing their role in promoting the profession to students, parents and the government.

"There are some very good examples of companies getting involved in local schools and working with colleges, but our report indicates a large minority of companies who do nothing. They know they will have difficulty recruiting the engineers they need but expect someone else will sort it out for them.

"You wouldn't leave it to chance to provide the materials, finance or machinery that you need. Why hope someone else will supply your most important asset that is your people?"

The report also highlights that recruitment of female engineering, IT and technical staff remains very low. Only 7 per cent of the engineering workforce is female, highlighting that the UK has a persistent problem in encouraging women into the engineering and IT sectors.

Yet, despite this, over a third of employers are not taking any action to attract women into engineering. 36 per cent of organisations do nothing at all to improve workforce diversity. Meanwhile, the average age of the engineering workforce continues to increase, with 56 per cent over the age of 40.

And finally....

If you have any articles that you would like to have featured please contact the WES Office.

We'd love to hear your stories of ideas to inspire young people, schools outreach activities and projects you are working on that we can share across the WES community.

Don't forget to forward our e-newsletter to your friends and contacts, male or female and help to inspire more young women to consider engineering and technology as a career.

With good wishes

the e-News team.

WES would like to thank its supporters and sponsors, particulary the IET, DP World London Gateway, Malvern Instruments, National Grid, Arup, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Selex and GE.

In this issue

Where do women engineering graduates go?

Amy Johnson Lecture

Research into Women in Engineering

The Graduate Engineer Show

WES Conference - Harnessing the Energy

Put a Woman Engineer on our Bank Notes

Employers struggling to get staff but need to do much more to fix the problem

WES STEM Ambassadors

WES Scottish Circle

WES Company Members neede

Blogger required

Those Magnificent Women in their Flying Machines

Pilotlight

WES Fellows

WES 95th Year Celebrations

WES Website: Video Stories

Project Scientist

Promotion Title

Are you a WES Member?

If not click here to find out why you should be!

It costs a pound a week and helps us to do our work to promote engineering and technology amongst women and girls.

WES STEM Ambassadors

Many WES members are also STEM Ambassadors. They go into schools passing on the message about women going into engineering and science and the exciting and varied opportunities that are available. If you think you would like to volunteer in this way visit the WES website for further information.

Women's Engineering Society Scottish Circle, Programme of events, 2013

WES exists to promote engineering to women but also to encourage those already in the profession, to this end we have series of events throughout the year in the West of Scotland.

Saturday in August, summer afternoon get together in Darvel including tea, cake, croquet and a visit to the telephone museum. Kids and families are welcome, this is where we plan the next years activities.

4th October 2013 IESIS - date still to be confirmed

WES is a small society in Scotland so we use the IESIS dinner as our annual smart get together. We would love to fill 2 tables this year so go on put it in your diary to come.

If you are joining us for an event please drop an e-mail to the WES Scottish circle secretary, Anne

WES Company Members Needed

As part of our drive to improve our financial position, WES would like to increase the number of Company Members that support our work, and we are appealing to all members to approach their companies to ask them to support our efforts. If you feel that your employer would be interested in partnering with WES to support our work, please contact the office for information about what this would involve, and how it would benefit both the company and the society.

Blogger Required

WES is looking for a Blogger to write a monthly contribution on women in engineering. If this is something that you would like to do please contact the WES Office.

Those Magnificent Women in their Flying Machines

This outreach activity to celebrate our 95th anniversary in 2014 has now been scoped and we are looking for partners. This schools activity will replicate the construction of aircraft wings by women during the First World War as a basis for schools to learn about women in engineering, the suffrage movement, World War 1 and the progress of women in the aerospace industry to the present day. If anyone would like to be involved, please contact Dawn for further details.

Pilotlight

WES is pleased to announce that it has been selected for help from the charity Pilotlight which helps other charities by allocating up to four business angels - called Pilotlighters - who will work with the charity for up to a year. This process is due to start in September.

WES Fellows

Fellowship of WES is now available as a membership option, and anyone wishing to become a fellow should apply by completing the form which is available online and returning it to the office. We are hoping that our new fellows will be willing to participate in next year's 95th anniversary celebrations by offering their services to speak at local schools on National Women in Engineering Day on 23 June 2014. Anyone wishing to be added to the register of speakers should contact the WES office please.

WES 95th Year Celebrations

Women in Engineering Day will celebrate WES's 95th anniversary next year - and we need help to plan some activities. We would like to put together an activity based on the building of the aircraft wings during the war, and would like somebody to scope and co-ordinate this activity Contact the WES Office if this is something you would like to be involved with organising.

WES Vacancies

WES has a number of volunteer vacancies available

Treasurer

Company secretary

Social Media Co-ordinator and Facilitator

Following a number of retirements we are also looking for new members to sit on the WES Council

If you are interested in any of the above positions please contact the Office for more details.

WES Member Sue Ion made a Dame

WES member Sue Ion was made a Dame in the Birthday honours this year.

Sue Ion has been a prominent figure in the UK nuclear industry for decades. She has chaired the EU Euratom Science and Technology Committee since 2010, and represents the UK on a number of international committees as an expert on nuclear fuel manufacture and technology. She began her career at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd in 1979, acting as Chief Technology Director from 1992 until 2006, where she controlled a £100 million research and development budget.

She has been a member of the Board of Governors at the University of Manchester since 2004, and was appointed Visiting Professor of Imperial College in 2006. She was a member of the UK Council for Science and Technology and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Sue will also be speaking at the WES Members conference on the 4th October 2013.

Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award.

Entry deadline 31 July 2013

Prize: £2,500, trophy and IET Ambassador role

This prestigious award honours the very best female engineers working in the UK today, highlighting the achievements of women in engineering and encouraging others to enter the profession.

Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices

Entry deadline 31 July 2013

Prize: £750, trophy and IET Ambassador role

This prestigious award is for an outstanding female engineering apprentice who has made a contribution within the workplace beyond the realms of her normal duties and demonstrated dynamism in her approach to the solutions of engineering problems. All entrants to the Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices will be automatically entered for the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award.

Women's Engineering Society (WES) Prize

Entry deadline 31 July 2013

Prize: £750, trophy and IET Ambassador role

The Women's Engineering Society Prize is awarded to a young female engineer who is able to engage and inspire young people's involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). All entrants to the Women's Engineering Society Prize will be automatically entered for the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award.

All winners will be announced at a national ceremony in London on 5th December 2013. Please visit our website for more details and to apply

Project Scientist

Project Scientist have been in touch with WES and are looking for female scientists and engineers to take part in Skype sessions with girls aged 4-12 at their camps in the US

'The purpose of the Superstar program is to introduce our campers to other female scientists so that they can learn about all the opportunities that exist for them. We'd be looking to have one (or several!) of your engineers join via Skype and talk about the work that she does, any past/current/future projects and answer questions from the girls.'

The camp kicks off next Monday, July 8 and runs through Aug. 2.

If you would like to take part please contact Sarah Newman or via Twitter @ProjScientist

For more details on Project Scientist visit the website

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