1. 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 Conference
Wednesday 10 June 2009
UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering,Technology
www.ukrc4setwomen.org

2. 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

3. Why did you choose this
workshop?

4. 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”

5. 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

6. Supporting women in SET

7. UK Resource Centre
for women in SET
Government funded
Scottish Hub
UKRC
South East Hub
Welsh Hub

8. Occupations
Nurse
Lawyer
Electrician
Secretary
Mechanical Engineer
Accountant
Hairdresser
Primary School Teacher Plumber Doctor
Airline pilot
Administrator
HR Manager
IT Consultant

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. Who influences career choice?
National Regional
Policy
Self Stereotyping
Professional
Institutes, Sector
Skills Councils
Family, Friends,
Peers and Media
Employers
Schools,
STEMPoints
Post 16
Education &
Training
Careers
Professionals

13. 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

14. What are the barriers preventing girls and
women pursuing SET careers?
In groups discuss and find 9

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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+

19. 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

20. How can we help you?

21. 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 Conference
Wednesday 10 June 2009
UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering,Technology
www.ukrc4setwomen.org