International Women in Engineering Day is a annual event to raise the profile of female engineers and technicians, spotlighting their achievements in engineering. INWED gives women engineers around the world a profile when they are still hugely under-represented in their professions. As the only platform of its kind, it plays a vital role in encouraging more young women and girls to take up engineering careers.
Girls and women make up less than 18% of higher apprentices in engineering & manufacturing, and 7.4% of all engineering apprentices (Engineering UK 2018). To mark International Women in Engineering Day 2022, we have spoken to some of our talented and inspiring female members about their motivations, their careers and their advice on becoming an engineer:
Deborah Sims took part in a CIHT 'Transport Talks' podcast to discuss her career and how to inspire and encourage young women to join the engineering sector. Deborah said 'by getting role models in front of children, feeding their curiosity and sewing them seeds, in future a large number of girls will hopefully think about careers in highways and transportation'.
To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, Sue Percy has taken part in 'Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow'; the very first episode of 'Connecting the country' - podcast by National Highways, the government-owned company responsible for motorways and major trunk roads in England.
Sue was joined by four industry professionals in this debate. They are:
CIHT has been at the forefront of advocating for greater Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for women across the highways and transportation sector. Recent examples have been our new EDI Strategy. The 5-year long 'shifting the dial' strategy aims to break the bias and outlines an ambitious strategy that will use CIHT's position as a strategic influencer and leader in the transport sector to effect change.
The signatories to CIHT's Diversity and Inclusion Charter also believe that a commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential to reflect the communities we serve. To celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion within the sector we have introduced a new ‘EDI Initiative of the Year’ award to the CIHT Awards 2022. This award recognises employers or individuals that have implemented or been involved in an EDI initiative of merit.
Sue Percy Chief Executive, CIHT said:
“Now in its ninth year International Women in Engineering Day (23 June 2022) plays a vital role in encouraging more women and girls to take up careers in the highways, transportation and infrastructure sector.”
“CIHT is a staunch supporter of this initiative and along with our members we are taking part in numerous STEM activities around the country inspiring young women into the sector.”
“The transport and infrastructure sector recognises the benefits of having a much more diverse and inclusive environment in which to work. But we can do more. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a core theme for CIHT and the next 12 months will see us build on our new EDI strategy (Shifting the dial) and initiate several activities that will help our sector to broaden its appeal and change for the better.”
Show your support on social media by tagging @INWED1919 and use the hashtags #INWED22 and #ImagineTheFuture so we can join in.
Find out more at the official INWED Page.
