Production and the disparity in innovation between genders
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century, the manufacturing industry is undergoing a digital revolution, fusing software and mechanical engineering to create high-tech solutions. However, a pressing concern looms over the UK: a shortage of engineers. The country needs to recruit 1.82 million engineers by 2022, but current figures show that women account for only 8.2% of professional engineers.
A recent report by the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering reveals that the UK has less enthusiasm for engineering than other leading nations. Barely one in five British teenagers express an interest in engineering, compared to half of young Germans and more than two-thirds of young Chinese. This disparity is a significant concern, as the manufacturing industry requires new generations of engineers, developers, and designers to meet the demands of the digital age.
The lack of interest in engineering among young Britons, particularly women, can be attributed to several factors. There's a perception that STEM subjects are overly difficult and the resulting careers are more suitable for boys, which may discourage women from pursuing careers in these fields. Additionally, the lack of information available to girls and their parents on available options with regards to STEM careers contributes to the shortage of women in the engineering and manufacturing industries.
Half of British 16 and 17-year-olds say that engineering is "not prestigious or respected enough" to be appealing as a career path. This perception needs to change, as a career in engineering can be rewarding, well-paid, and offers exciting opportunities, especially in the digital manufacturing era.
To address this shortage and increase the number of women in engineering and manufacturing, several strategies have been proposed.
- Developing Future Skills and Digital Competencies: Employers are prioritizing training engineers to work with automation, robotics, AI, and digital engineering tools such as digital twins and simulation software. This prepares engineers for modern manufacturing and high-value engineering sectors like aerospace and defense.
- Government and Industry-Funded Training Programs: Initiatives like the UK Electronics Skills Foundation's Semiconductor STEP Programme, supported by government grants, aim to build pipelines through school outreach, university bursaries, design courses, and master’s conversion training.
- Mentoring, Sponsorship, and Inclusive Development for Women: Organizations and platforms like Industrial Cyber emphasize creating mentorship and sponsorship programs that go beyond traditional networking. They advocate for equitable pay, transparent promotion paths, leadership development tracks, and the establishment of measurable diversity targets with leadership accountability to retain and develop women engineers.
- Collaborations with Universities and Skills Partnerships: Skill development partnerships with universities and funding for skills enhancement underpin efforts to attract and retain women and underrepresented groups in engineering roles.
- Employer Branding and Flexible Workforce Recruitment: Companies are employing recruitment agencies specializing in contract talent, leveraging flexible workforces to bridge immediate skills gaps, and investing in employer branding to attract diverse talent.
- Addressing Costs and Competitiveness: Recognizing that the UK engineering labor costs are higher than some competing countries, there are calls to maintain competitiveness to keep teams and expand operations within the UK to avoid losing engineering jobs overseas.
By combining modernizing skills with digital tools, targeted education and funding programs, fostering inclusivity and diversity with mentorship and sponsorship, and strategic recruitment solutions, the UK hopes to address the engineer shortage and increase women's representation in engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Sources: [1] Proto Labs [2] Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering's report [4] Industrial Cyber [5] Various industry reports and initiatives
technology plays a crucial role in modern manufacturing, particularly in the digital revolution that fusion software and mechanical engineering are undergoing. to meet the demands of this new era, it's essential to close the engineering gender gap, which is particularly pronounced in the UK where women account for only 8.2% of professional engineers.
