Ford engineers host over 100 female students from local Essex schools at the Dunton Technical Centre to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day.
Ford is working to reduce the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and math careers by inviting female students to take part in a day of STEM activities and tours of the Dunton Technical Centre.
Stephen Metcalfe MP, the government envoy for the Year of Engineering and Rachel Hayden, 2017 Ford STEM prize winner, joined a number Ford female engineers on a panel discussion and student Q&A on topics ranging from apprentices to senior management roles. The debate followed a keynote speech delivered by Sue Slaughter, Director of Purchasing, Ford of Europe, recognised by Autocar as one of the Top100 most influential women.
“At Ford, we recognise the challenges of attracting young people – especially girls – to pursue STEM-related careers. However, we find this to be largely based around perception,” says Sue Slaughter. “We run this event to show-off the wide range of exciting, future-facing STEM careers so that these female students understand all of the opportunities available and can be inspired by what is most suited to them.”
This year is the UK government’s Year of Engineering – a national campaign to increase awareness and understanding of engineering roles among young people, parents and teachers. INWED is just one of a number of events run in support of the campaign.
Government envoy Stephen Metcalfe MP said: “With females making up an estimated 12 per cent of the engineering workforce, events such as today are imperative in engaging young students with the vast opportunities available to engineers, which will reduce the gender and skills gaps within the industry in the future.”
The students participated in a range of activities including an exercise in lean manufacturing techniques and programming using Edison robots. Insight into the breadth and scope of engineering careers was introduced through a site tour, which included the Environmental Test Lab, Emissions Test lab and a calibration activity on the Dunton test track.
International Women in Engineering Day is just one of the initiatives Ford supports in the effort to reduce the gender gap. The company is proud to champion the Ford Professional Women’s Network and the Diversity Alliance Committee, whilst the company’s progressive maternity and flexible working policies are comparable to the best in the UK.
Ford, one of just 15 per cent of companies that reported a negative gender pay gap, is committed to the equality of opportunity and recognises the benefits of a gender balanced workforce. The Company has been able to achieve a balanced representation of male and female employees in a number of functions, however female representation in engineering and manufacturing has remained a challenge, highlighting the need for events like today.
