In the build-up to the International Women in Engineering Day 2023 we asked nine CIHT members who are also female engineers the questions that the sector needs answered and to act on.
A must-read, their insight and honest responses provide inspiration and clear guidance for individuals, organisations and the sector as a whole to act on.
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We wish to thank the contributors for the time taken and constructive responses. The contributors are;
Charlie White (CW), Assistant Site Manager, Octavius Infrastructure Limited
Jane Young (JY), Highway Engineering Team Manager, Surrey County Council
Niamh Sutherland (NS), Senior Engineer, Momentum Transport Consultancy
Julia Procter (JP), Senior Project Manager, Suffolk County Council
Elaine Penny (EP), Engineer (Traffic), Moray Council
Emma Burns (EB), Strategy Manager, Amey
Lindsey Smith (LS), Engineer, Arup
Lindsey Walters (LW), Project Engineer, North Yorkshire Council
Fiona Neil (FN), Principal Engineer, Connect Consultants Ltd
(CW) Growing up I enjoyed problem solving, maths and physics. I also started studying Geography and enjoyed the interconnections between the human and natural world. Civil engineering is the physical connection with how humans travel, work and live within a natural environment. I enjoy working as part of a team to create an output that is suitable for its users, and sustainable for future use.
(JY) To be honest, it was accidental! I took on a temporary job setting up an Engineering office for a Local Authority in an office management capacity. Found I really enjoyed the work of the team, particularly the problem solving aspects, and decided to train to become an Engineer. That was 24 years ago!
(NS) I think my story may be similar to other engineers. I enjoyed creative subjects at school and I also found myself enjoying maths and physics, and so the natural career choice appeared to be...architecture. At this point I had no idea of what being an 'engineer' entailed. However, after a conversation with my maths teacher, I was enlightened. Civil engineering would combine the elements of architecture I was interested in, whilst solving problems with creative solutions.
(JP) Hmm I sort of slipped into mechanical engineering, I worked in a factory and the machinery frequently broke down, rather than wait for setters to come along I learnt to fix them myself and was then offered part time study at College funded by my work place.
(EP) I originally did Maths as my degree, but decided I didn't want to work in an office all the time or be an accountant or actuary.
(EB) I found engineering later in life when I became a receptionist at Amey. I loved the diversity and variety of skills and opportunities that engineering offers. I was never very academic at school but being more mature helped me get back into my studies and I ended up really enjoying learning again.
(LS) I wanted to work in an industry where I could make an impact on the world around me and face new challenges every day. I was keen to break "traditional" job roles and prove that women can be anything they want to be.
(LW) I get a lot of satisfaction from admiring bridges, buildings, and historic roads and understanding the mysteries of their structure and materials. I'm fascinated by the inner workings and intricate components of different structures. Also, I enjoy the process of building and creating, and I am always looking for ways to improve things and get my hands dirty.
(FN) I've always been good at problem solving, even from a young age. Even though my route to becoming an Engineer wasn't 'traditional' once I started on that path, I knew that it was the career I wanted. Engineering allows you to use both your logical brain and your creative brain, and this makes my job incredibly rewarding!
(CW) Women are half the population, and half the users of all structures and connections. Women should be involved at all stages of design and construction to ensure that the end product is suitable for all types of users. A diverse workforce allows different perspectives and needs to be accounted for.
(JY) it is important for the industry to be inclusive and remove bias. The world has moved on so much, and women can often bring a different perspective. Representation is vital these days.
(NS) Diverse talent is critical to the construction industry because we design and build infrastructure that serves the community. A diverse team can better understand the cultural, social, and economic factors that might affect the community's use of spaces and infrastructure. In recent history, urban spaces have been designed by the few for the many, which has often left us with infrastructure that feels unsafe for women and minorities, is inaccessible to those with accessibility needs, and lacks functionality for the end user.
(JP) We need a balance in the workforce, we need diversity, more creative thinking. What ever gender we are we all think differently. There is a shortage of engineers and we need to show women that there's a vast range of engineering jobs out there and its a rewarding career.
(EP) We have a different view on the built environment and as more than 50% of the population is female, then it makes sense to use those views to enhance our environment.
(EB) Woman have different ways of looking at things which brings a lot to companies, especially ones that are struggling to change. They are amazing planners and seem to be able to organise every small detail. Main reason, because we can.
(LS) Diversity is crucial to the work we do in engineering, having a diverse team can increase innovation, leading to better outcomes for the scheme and our clients. It is also vital to have visible women in Engineering to encourage the younger generation to look at Engineering as a career choice, widening the pool of applicants to help bridge the skills shortage faces and diversifying the workforce.
(LW) Female talent brings diverse perspectives and innovative ideas, fueling creativity. Having women in the industry ensures we address the needs of the entire population and creates inclusivity. Women can contribute valuable skills, expertise and insights making efficient and effective teams for overall success in the industry.
(FN) Women possess lots of qualities which make them a valuable asset to the engineering industry. A balance of both male and female employees within a company creates a much wider skill suite overall, which inevitably will impact their outputs in a positive way.
(CW) I work on construction sites which are historically male-dominated. I have been fortunate that all of my colleagues have been encouraging and supportive of my role and my progression within the company. However, throughout my journey I have met a few individuals that show resentment from taking advice or instructions from a women. The main obstacle is fighting against "the way things have always been done". I try to balance being open to change, and being resolute.
(NS) I've been fortunate that I have not faced many challenges on my road to being an engineer, which can be credited to the work of the women (and allies) that came before me, and to the teams I have worked with to date. There is still a clear lack of female representation in the industry, especially at senior levels; however, from the experiences I've had it seems that there is space for women - we just need to nurture the talent coming through so that women feel empowered to claim it.
(JP) College was a challenge the first day over 60 males and me, it was quite scary but on the whole the guys were great. In the workplace its better than what it was when I first started in the 90s. You must know your stuff, don't be yes woman or a shrinking violet, be proud of your knowledge.
(EP) I haven't found any particular challenges in the road to being an engineer from colleagues, but public perception is that they are often surprised that I am an engineer
(EB) There were no female managers in the contract I was working in bar admin. I was the first and had came up through the ranks. I found this more of a challenge because people who had known you since you were an engineer, to then be a manager still saw you sometimes as the engineer. Showing I could do the job I felt I always had to be better and put extra effort in to show what I could do. Also I left the industry for a while when I had a family as I wasn't allowed to go part time. I was out the industry for 4 years a re trained in health and social care to get the hours I needed.
(LS) Having two children I felt more pressured to prove myself when returning from maternity leave in a predominately male workforce. The societal roles of a mother and a father are still very imbedded and many feel women should not focus on their career and career progression while raising children. I had worked hard to get to my position and felt I deserved to continue to develop my career, I made an effort to work with other women with young children and learn from their experiences to enable me to develop a work life balance to suit my goals in work and my home life.
(LW) The industry has been very welcoming, I am lucky to work in a gender diverse team and have found support around every corner. When I first went into mechanics and then engineering I was one of few women but the industry has changed a lot from what it was and approaching everyone with an open mind and understanding goes along way.
(FN) There are definitely challenges to overcome when being sometimes the only woman on a construction site. Old fashioned values, and internalised sexism are unfortunately one hurdle which can impact how efficiently your role can be preformed. Luckily for me, I have a great team of men and women around me who champion each other to inspire confidence and offer support when needed. And I hope to also inspire the amazing women on my team as they continue to progress their career, and give them the tools to help give them conviction and not give in to imposter syndrome.
(Source https://www.engineeringuk.com/media/318036/women-in-engineering-report-extended-analysis-engineeringuk-march-2022.pdf)
(CW) 16.5% is shockingly low, especially given the broad term of "engineering". At school STEM activities and subjects needs to be catered to all genders. There needs to be a greater understanding of the many different types of engineers there are - from aerospace engineers, to plumbers, to urban development modellers.
(JY) Having more women in engineering means, even 16.5%, can encourage other females to join the industry. Talking to schools and colleges as a woman in engineering can show that it can be inclusive. I manage a team of engineers and 50% are women.
(NS) I think most valuable thing that the industry can do is continue engagement with schools and organisations that work with young people, and inform them of the roles available across the industry. This is especially important for young people that do not have access to adults that work in a diverse range of industries. In tandem with this, providing resources, mentorship, and advertising the benefits of apprenticeship schemes to young women is worthwhile; helping to bring in more talent from a wider pool.
(JP) Showcase their female engineers, go into schools and colleges. Job fayres, offer shadowing sessions
(EP) I think it all stems from school and that maths and science (particularly physics) are not encouraged and this leaves a gap. I also don't think we promote well the types of engineering roles out there
(EB) I don't think we should just be focusing on getting more women into engineering but I do feel early interaction at school levels helps. I don't think people are aware that there is a job in engineering for anyone as there is such a mixture of careers available.
(LS) Having female role models is key. Showing the younger generation that you can excel in a career in engineering will help pull more talent in. Furthermore, making the return to work after maternity easier by providing keep in touch, flexible working and mentoring and support can make a big impact on retaining women as they move through their career.
(LW) I thing a lot comes down to knowing what jobs are available and with the introduction of degree apprenticeships there are some great opportunities, for me its about getting the words out, and taking down the strict interview barriers that put people off.
(FN) It really needs to start in schools. I was lucky enough to recently attend my daughters school to give a talk about my job for their women in STEM topic. Engaging with the children about what my job entailed day-to-day helps them picture themselves in roles like these when they are older. Opportunities like this can really help young girls start planning for the future they want. It would be really great to see more of this and help children understand how exciting and rewarding engineering can be.
(CW) Young professionals need to see a future for themselves in the industry, which requires seeing women at every level of management.
(JY) To show society that male and female roles are not different in industry. Keep making a difference and even up the numbers.
(NS) Having visible female role models is necessary to break down the gender stereotypes that still exist and it proves that engineering is accessible to all. It helps make it clear that engineering is a viable career option to young women, which in turn should encourage future take up in STEM subjects and subsequent related careers.
(JP) Equality and diversity, show others that females are equal in their roles
(EP) I think all role models can be good, male and female, but I think having visible examples of engineering projects women have been pivotal in are the most important.
(EB) They are able to understand the difficult situations you may face and help your to overcome them. They are someone to hopefully look up to and be inspired by and who can give you direction when required.
(LS) Visibility of female role models help to bring females into the industry and retain them. Having role models in senior positions helps inspire the next generation.
(LW) Visible role models show female engineers what is truly possible within the industry, inspiring and encouraging young female, those retraining or coming back to the industry after a break. Having visible female role models showcases female achievements and capabilities. It shows that gender stereotypes are becoming a thing of the past.
(FN) Visible role models show female engineers what is truly possible within the industry, inspiring and encouraging young female, those retraining or coming back to the industry after a break. Having visible female role models showcases female achievements and capabilities. It shows that gender stereotypes are becoming a thing of the past.
(CW) Networking across the company is important. Your company is often much larger than the office or site you work from. Speaking to the other women within your company and hearing their experiences can empower you.
(JY) Have flexible or agile working policies so that women can work in the industry around family life. Ensure parity of pay, and equality matters - should be Business as Usual.
(NS) There are probably many things that companies could be doing better to retain female engineers. Alongside addressing any residual gender bias; one thing that springs to mind is the offering of flexible work arrangements, to support women who may have caregiving responsibilities.
(JP) They must appreciate health and well being more, also parent/guardian responsibilities, also carer responsibilities, offer flexible working.
(EP) Have female mentors.
(EB) Pay fairly and support them during times when they are under extra pressures such as starting families etc.
(LS) Ensure equality in the workplace. Women should be given the same opportunities as males in the workplace, including career progression to the top positions. Provide mentors for junior females in the organisation with women in more senior positions to help share experiences and provide role models.
(LW) The main hurdle I have found is investment into training. Big firms are offering graduate schemes and management programmes but within the council the funding isn't there and therefore people are left with large skills gaps. If they wish to keep any engineers there need to put the effort in to appreciate the staff and invest in them. There is a lot of focus on attracting young female but not so much for the over 25's - focus is needed here too.
(FN) Champion their female employees and make sure their voices are heard.
(CW) Depending on what role you are considering, apprenticeships are a great option as you gain a qualification whilst also studying and earning money. Engineering is best learnt when put to practice.
(JY) Do it ! Don't believe that it is a male orientated industry. Be the difference.
(NS) My advice would be 'do it!'. Engineering is very rewarding career in which the work you do day-to-day results in tangible benefits to the world around us.
(JP) Go for it, why do they want to get into it, what excites them, read about it, watch videos, speak to local companies
(EP) Don't be put off by having to pick a particular engineering discipline, but if you're interested try doing general engineering and see what you like.
(EB) Go for a civil engineering course if you are unsure on what area you would like to go into, this gives you a taster of multiple disciplines which will let you see what suits your ability and passion.
(LS) Research the area you are looking to go into and keep your eye open for information days or companies doing work experience, this will help you work out what area you enjoy.
(LW) I would highly recommend doing an apprenticeship whether its HNC or Degree. I have completed a degree apprenticeship and although its hard work juggling work, university and personal life, it's worth it - no university debt, experience, and an income.
(FN) The best thing about a career in Engineering is definitely the variety of schemes and sites we work on, no two jobs are the same and this makes every working day challenging and fulfilling. For any young women thinking of a career in Engineering - I say just go for it.
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