This Thursday, 23rd June, was National Women in Engineering Day. To mark the occasion, Leamington based STEM education charity, The Smallpeice Trust, teamed up with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), located in Antsy Park, to inspire a new generation of female engineers, and received backing from Rugby MP Mark Pawsey.
With the UK facing the struggle of creating greater gender balance in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, MTC and The Smallpeice Trust have designed a one-day STEM day course for 14 and 15 year olds that will allow students working in small teams to learn how to design and build a system to filter, collect, detect and pump collected rainwater on sustainable skyscrapers.
In support of National Women in Engineering Day, thirty local schoolgirls from Bilton School in Rugby received the chance to get hands-on with the challenge at an event at The MTC’s state of the art, purpose built Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre, attended by Mark Pawsey MP.
Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby comments: “For far too long women have been underrepresented in engineering and, sadly, it has been estimated that women count for just 6% of today’s engineers. That is why it is so important to do all that we can to encourage and inspire more young people, particularly girls, to take up STEM subjects in our schools and to forge careers in these industries.
“That is why the work of The Smallpeice Trust is so important and why I am delighted to play my small part in supporting the ‘Smart Building’ event at the fantastic Manufacturing Technology Centre in Rugby.
“Events such as this help to change perceptions and I hope it will encourage more girls to consider engineering as a career.”
Dr Kevin P. Stenson, Chief Executive, The Smallpeice Trust comments: “Despite extensive campaigns and interventions, a clear gender gap remains between men and women’s perceptions and participation in STEM. At The Smallpeice Trust we are determined to improve the balance, and we have seen first-hand how our one day and residential STEM courses have a transformative effect on the outlook of male and female school children.
“We strongly believe that the key to a more gender balanced future is engagement during the school years, encouraging girls to consider opportunities in engineering and science fields.”
Paul Rowlett, managing director of the MTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre added:
“At MTC our aim is to support young people into engineering careers through apprenticeships that develop the skills that industry needs. STEM days like this one are a key part of that – by showing young people how exciting, challenging and rewarding a career in engineering can be. We look forward to working with The Smallpeice Trust to encourage more young people into engineering.”
Recruitment is currently underway at the MTC for the next intake of engineering apprentices to join its award-winning apprenticeship programme, and have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to shaping the future of high value manufacturing in the UK. There are places for 40 new recruits to start in September 2016, who will follow the 97 apprentices already taking part in the centre’s advanced engineering training programme, designed to provide premium training for the next generation of engineers and technicians. However, budding engineers are urged to act quickly and get their applications in early, as the MTC can only take 40 of the most talented candidates. Applications for apprenticeships can be made online: www.the-mtc.org/apprentice
About The Smallpeice Trust
For nearly 50 years The Smallpeice Trust has given young people everything that they need to explore their passion for engineering, making big ideas a reality through its hands on engineering experience courses and STEM days that challenge young people to imagine the engineering feats of the future.
The Smallpeice Trust is all about inspiring young people who are daring enough to think big and imagine. It gives 11-18 year olds everything that they need to explore their passion for engineering through in-school STEM Days and engineering experience courses – all with the help of universities, charities and corporate sponsors.
For more information on Smallpeice and its work visit http://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk
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