Engineering has been instrumental in shaping the world and enhancing our quality of life throughout history. From the ancient marvels of the Egyptian pyramids to modern architectural feats like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai—some of the world’s most iconic creations are the result of visionary engineers. But these renowned achievements are just a glimpse of how engineering impacts our everyday lives. Even the most basic items we use daily are products of engineering, designed to make life easier and more efficient.
As engineering continues to evolve, producing groundbreaking developments across a multitude of fields, one challenge persists: achieving gender parity. Despite its advancements, the industry still struggles to include women on an equal footing.
This article delves into the gender gap in engineering, the challenges faced by women in this field, and the steps being taken to create a more inclusive future for women in engineering.
The Gender Disparity in Engineering: Key Challenges
In the UK, women are significantly underrepresented in engineering roles, making up less than 20% of the overall workforce. While this figure has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, according to data from EngineeringUK, it remains considerably lower than it should be. Moreover, women in engineering are often employed in support or related roles rather than core technical positions.
This trend is not limited to the UK. In the United States, the American Society of Civil Engineers highlight that only around 14% of engineers in America’s workforce are women. Although these numbers show some growth, the pace of progress remains sluggish, with much more needing to be done to achieve true gender parity.
Several factors contribute to the gender gap in engineering, including longstanding perceptions that engineering is a male-dominated field and a general lack of diversity and inclusion across the industry. These perceptions can discourage women from pursuing engineering careers. EngineeringUK’s Secondary Education and Engineering briefing also indicates that fewer girls than boys take STEM-related subjects at the GCSE level, despite girls typically achieving higher grades. This discrepancy extends into further education and apprenticeships, where male participation in engineering courses significantly outnumbers female participation.
The biggest challenge ahead is to inspire and educate more women and girls about the opportunities available in engineering. Addressing this gap is not just about increasing diversity within the industry; it’s also about meeting the growing demand for engineers.
Initiatives and Actions to Bridge the Gender Gap
In response to these challenges, numerous institutions, organisations, and companies around the world are working hard to create a more inclusive and diverse engineering industry. The goal is to provide women and underrepresented groups with better opportunities to enter and thrive in engineering roles, thereby strengthening the industry through the inclusion of a wider range of talents, perspectives, and ideas.
Research carried out by EngineeringUK, and published in December 2023,outlines several strategies to enhance female engagement and interest in engineering:
- Engaging young girls with engineering and technology activities.
- Challenging gender stereotypes through targeted outreach programs.
- Designing initiatives that consider the needs, interests, and preferences of young girls.
- Recognising that gender is not a binary concept and adapting programs accordingly.
- Utilising role models who are closer in age to students to bridge the developmental gap between education and professional life.
- Showcasing diverse career paths within engineering and technology.
Initiatives like these are spearheaded by organisations such as the WISE Campaign, which supports companies in achieving gender parity. WISE champions diversity in STEM by advocating for diverse thought, background, and life experiences. Their work helps make STEM more accessible and inclusive for all, thereby driving innovation and improving overall business performance.
Additionally, events like International Women in Engineering Day—celebrated annually in June and initiated by the Women’s Engineering Society—have been instrumental in raising awareness about gender inequality in engineering. These events highlight opportunities available for women and encourage companies to develop more diverse and inclusive workforces.
Creating Opportunities for Women in Engineering
Highlighting the gender gap in engineering has prompted many companies within the sector to take proactive steps towards creating more opportunities for women. In the UK, numerous engineering firms have signed up to the WISE Campaign’s ‘Ten Steps’ initiative, committing to educate women about the possibilities in engineering and fostering a more inclusive environment.
The Ten Steps initiative helps organisations by:
- Publicly committing to improve conditions for women in science, technology, and engineering, thereby encouraging more young girls to pursue STEM careers.
- Using the Ten Steps framework to retain and develop female talent within the organisation.
- Collaborating with WISE to achieve better gender balance by applying the Ten Steps to recruitment, retention, and career development strategies.
According to EngineeringUK’s latest research, these efforts have already started to bear fruit, with the number of women in engineering roles nearly doubling over the past decade. Nevertheless, significant work remains. It is crucial that the engineering sector continues to push forward to ensure ongoing progress, making engineering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive profession.
Moving Forward: What’s Next for Women in Engineering?
While the engineering industry has taken meaningful steps toward achieving gender parity, it’s clear that there’s still a long way to go. To truly close the gender gap, the sector needs to maintain its focus on diversity and inclusion, supporting initiatives that break down barriers for women and other underrepresented groups.
If engineering can successfully address these challenges, the potential benefits are immense: a stronger, more innovative workforce capable of tackling the complex global issues of today and tomorrow.
Looking to get involved or learn more? Reach out to industry leaders, join initiatives like the WISE Campaign, or participate in events such as International Women in Engineering Day to contribute to this important movement and shape the future of engineering.