Latest news with #InternationalWomenInEngineeringDay
The Sun
10 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Four in 10 Brits open to career change with half actively searching for ‘calling' & women most likely to take plunge
NEARLY four in 10 Brits are open to a career move - with half of these actively searching for their "calling." A poll of 2,000 adults found 27 per cent feel they will be ready for a change within the next two years. 4 4 Women are most likely to feel this way, with 58 per cent open to a different role now they have a better idea of what they want to do in life, compared to 44 per cent of men. The main motivation behind changing careers for women was 'chasing a passion or dream' (65 per cent), while men were looking for better pay (58 per cent). But while 54 per cent of women feel it's never 'too late' to move onto a second vocation, only 41 per cent of their male counterparts said the same. It also emerged 52 is the age, on average, respondents considered it 'too late' to switch to a new career. The research was commissioned by British Gas to mark International Women in Engineering Day (23rd June) following its pledge to recruit 3,500 apprentices by 2030 in green roles such as installing electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps. Kirsty Warren, an engineer for the home services brand who switched from a career in social work, said: 'It's never too late to go after what you really want - whether in your personal life or career. 'Changing to engineering at 36 was challenging but incredibly rewarding. 'After years as a social worker, I needed a more hands-on role. 'Engineering always interested me, but like many women my age, I didn't think it was an option when I was younger. 'This research shows that nearly four in 10 Brits are open to a career change, with women leading the way – I completely relate. 'I loved social work, but when it started affecting my wellbeing, I knew it was time to rethink my future and follow what truly inspired me.' The study also found 54 per cent of women know someone who has retrained in later life to embark on a second career, which could have served as inspiration for their own attitudes. Despite this, 35 per cent of women didn't feel they were currently in a position where they could move into a different career without retraining. More women are also keen to shift into an entirely new career or industry compared to men – with a quarter of the latter more focused on starting out on their own through freelancing or setting up a business. Having flexibility (32 per cent) and feeling fulfilled in their career (32 per cent) were also both valued more by women, according to data. While for men, 47 per cent named their main priority as salary, compared to 37 per cent of women. It also emerged 15 per cent of all adults polled believed their current job isn't the right fit for their lifestyle. With the top barriers to making a career change including a fear of leaving their comfort zone (31 per cent), a lack of confidence (31 per cent), and worries about leaving a steady pay cheque (28 per cent). Kirsty Warren from British Gas, which has also committed to hire 500 former armed forces personnel to retrain as engineers, added: 'When I started the apprenticeship scheme, I was met with guidance, patience, and respect – especially from more experienced colleagues who understood I was committed to learning. 'This International Women in Engineering Day, I want to say to any woman wondering if it's too late to try something new: it's not. 'More than half of the women surveyed said the same, so whether you're 26 or 46, if you've found your calling, go after it.' 4 4
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Help solve the problem of a female engineer shortage with an exciting new career
Engineering is no longer seen as men's work SUNEMPLOYMENT Help solve the problem of a female engineer shortage with an exciting new career Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT used to be considered a 'man's job', but women engineers are on the rise. Latest figures from EngineeringUK show females now occupy 16.9 per cent of roles, up from 15.7 per cent last year and a significant increase from ten per cent in 2010. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The sector offers job security, average salaries of over £60,000 and a chance to change the world. It's a growth area, too, as in the Government's new industrial strategy, five of the eight growth sectors are underpinned by engineering, from compound semiconductors to quantum computers. But as we approach International Women In Engineering Day on Monday, the UK still needs 124,000 new engineers and technicians a year to meet demand. Recruiting more women would help drive innovation, create more female-friendly products, close the skills gap and ensure the UK economy thrives. READ MORE ON EMPLOYMENT HELPING HAND Nurses and paramedics in top 3 most respected jobs in the UK, say Brits Dr Hilary Leevers, chief executive of non-profit organisation EngineeringUK, said: 'We urgently need more girls and women to pursue engineering careers. "There would be millions more women in engineering if they progressed at the same rates as men, which would resolve our workforce shortages.' EngineeringUK is working with over 40 organisations, including the Royal Academy of Engineering and Women Into Science And Engineering (WISE), to promote the career to girls in school. 'Engineering is about solving real problems and improving the lives of millions', says WISE managing director Dr Laura Norton. 'But how can we design solutions for everyone if only a narrow slice of society is doing the designing? We need more women in engineering for the good of all of us.' The types of engineering roles are diversifying. As well as traditional heavy engineering and civil construction jobs, there are digital, software, biomedical, aerospace and environmental engineering. Fires Up Its Engine and Afterburner During Test Series As one of the UK's top female engineers, Tara Bishop, head of planning and business development at British Airways Engineering, believes the sector is 'undergoing a cultural shift'. She explains: 'The traditional skills are still required, but we increasingly need digital skills in areas such as predictive maintenance, aircraft software and cyber-security, and aircraft analytics. 'Engineering requires critical-thinking skills and problem-solving ability, so we absolutely benefit from diverse perspectives.' For more information, see 'We're just as capable at maintaining aircraft' 3 Victoria's career has reached new heights at British Airways VIKTORIA WIGGINS is a tools and equipment manager for British Airways after joining the airline as a planning and supply chain graduate. The 23-year-old, from South West London, said: 'Firms should take on more female engineers because being an engineer is not a gendered role. 'Women are equally capable of working on aircraft or in the engineering operation. 'Being an engineer is being a problem solver, and women are very good at solving problems! 'The idea that engineering is a career for men needs to be challenged by all those who work in the sector, both men and women, as opposed to just being championed by women. 'Last year, I ran an outreach day, Engineering A Female Future, where 50 female university students from across the UK had the chance to visit our engineering base and hear from industry leaders. 'It was amazing to see so many keen female engineers and non-engineers thinking about pursuing a career in such an interesting industry.' Ways into the industry WANT to work in engineering? Follow Dr Hilary Leevers' tips . . . Look at the vast range of careers on offer and check out for different case studies and role models. Develop your skills and knowledge in STEM. Explore recommended podcasts, TV shows, days out, competitions, books and activities, then find opportunities to put these into practice. There are a number of different pathways including apprenticeships, university degrees, T-Levels and other vocational qualifications. Government, businesses and software companies also offer bootcamps or online courses. If you don't think you have the right qualifications, don't give up. Engineering teams often draw people from a range of backgrounds to solve interdisciplinary problems. Follow and engage with leading industry bodies including the Royal Academy of Engineering, professional engineering institutions, Women's Engineering Society, Women Into Science And Engineering and Equate Scotland. Want to get back into the sector after a career break? Then take returner schemes. The free Open University course Returning To STEM should help you work through your options, or visit How to keep cool in the office 3 Employment solicitor Laura Kearsley, from Nelsons TEMPERATURES hit 30C this week, but as there is no legal maximum for workplaces in the UK, what should bosses be doing to keep staff cool? Employment solicitor Laura Kearsley, from Nelsons, explains your weather rights. Can I leave my workplace if it becomes too hot? Not unless you feel unwell and you need to take sick leave. But employers have a legal obligation to provide a 'reasonable' working temperature in the office. Your employer has a duty to determine what 'reasonable' comfort will be in each particular circumstance. Are there any other regulations that protect workers during hot weather? The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to make a suitable assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees, which includes temperature. Does my boss have to legally provide air conditioning in the office? No, but when working temperatures are uncomfortable, employers should consider using fans or portable air conditioning and providing cool water. Is it acceptable for me to wear shorts and flip-flops in the office during warm weather? What will happen if I defy my employer? Your employer may change dress code requirements in warmer weather if this is appropriate. However, they are still entitled to insist on certain standards of appearance – particularly for customer-facing roles and for shoes and clothing to be sensible for health and safety reasons. The requirement for employers to treat employees with trust and confidence applies throughout the employment relationship. At times of uncomfortable working conditions, employers will need to be considerate to employees. After all, if staff are too hot, they won't be at their most productive. Role models vital A LACK of visible role models is hampering people with learning disabilities from finding jobs, a study from hotel chain Hilton suggests. Just 16 per cent of people with a learning disability in the workforce report having a role model with a similar disability. However, 74 per cent of people would be more confident applying for jobs if they saw similar people in customer-facing roles. Hilton senior vice president Stephen Cassidy said: 'Representation matters – seeing people like yourself succeed at work builds confidence and opens doors. 'Our team members with learning disabilities contribute across a wide range of roles, from front-of-house positions to behind-the-scenes work.' Duty calls on loo 3 Six in ten workers have answered work emails or taken a call while on the loo TENS of thousands of workers are facing burnout by failing to take a proper break. Two-thirds of staff say they have worked a seven to eight-hour shift without stopping, while six in ten have answered work emails or taken a call while on the loo. The study from HR software firm Personio found women were more likely than men to work through lunch, while millennials were most likely to work through an illness. Psychotherapist Zoe Aston said: 'The bathroom is one of the few remaining spaces we expect to be off-limits. When employees are responding to work in that space, it signals a culture where people don't feel psychologically safe to disconnect, even briefly.'
