Women’s vital role in Britain’s transport industry was celebrated by professionals and politicians on Friday to mark International Women in Engineering Day.

 

Coordinated by the Women’s Engineering Society, the annual campaign recognises the achievements of outstanding women in the sector and puts a spotlight on the careers available for girls within engineering.

 

To mark the occasion Transport Minister with responsibility for skills John Hayes met with female engineers at London’s Waterloo Station. He said: “At a time when we need more skills to make our transport infrastructure the best in the world, just 12% of people in the UK engineering industry are women.

 

“This is unacceptable and means we are missing so much talent and so much potential in this crucial field.” He added: “Female engineers can and will play a vital role as we deliver unprecedented investment in transport infrastructure over the coming years.”

 

Commenting on one of the main barriers thought to discourage girls from considering careers in transport and engineering, Network Rail engineer Charlotte Cove said: “I know that there is a perception among girls that engineers get dirty and wield spanners and screwdrivers all day. That’s not what I do; I’m more likely to have a pen and calculator in my hand.”

 

She added: “I would strongly recommend engineering as a profession to all girls, simply because it’s such a fulfilling career; it’s stable, well paid and you get so much respect from your colleagues. It fulfils your creative side as well.”

 

CIHT also celebrated International Women in Engineering Day by showcasing a number of its female members, who highlighted some of the reasons why they chose careers in transportation. To find out more click here.

 

CIHT chief executive Sue Percy commented: “Through collaborating in campaigns such as this, we at CIHT are playing our part in highlighting the various opportunities available for women in the industry.”

 

Views from a number of CIHT members on the women in transportation agenda can be found in the June issue of TP on p26.

 

(Photo: DfT)