Educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust and STEMAZING, the organisation promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM, are collaborating to inspire the next generation of female engineers with a tailored Mentor Development Programme
In celebration of women in engineering, and the 30th anniversary of the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Programme, educational charity The Smallpeice Trust and STEMAZING, an organisation committed to championing women in engineering, have joined forces to offer a tailored mentorship programme for female Arkwright Scholars.
The Smallpeice Trust’s esteemed Arkwright Engineering Scholarship is a fully sponsored two-year programme which gives 16-18 year olds the chance to gain hands-on experience and professional mentorship with leading engineering firms, such as the RAF, Rolls Royce and Network Rail.
There is an incredible legacy of female engineers in the UK, who led the way with building innovative aeroplanes, bridges, ships and skyscrapers, yet many young people today are unable to name a single female STEM role model. As a result, this lack of awareness as well as misconceptions around what engineering involves, means many young girls don’t see engineering as an option for them.
Today, women make up just 12 per cent of the UK’s engineering workforce. Despite this talent shortage, a recent survey by STEMAZING found that 78 per cent of secondary school aged girls wouldn’t even consider becoming an engineer in the future, with research from The Smallpeice Trust also finding that many parents see engineering as “too academic” for their children.
The Mentor Development programme aims to redress the gender imbalance in engineering, offering 30 female Scholars the chance to work with female industry role models and benefit from a range of enrichment experiences. The programme includes:
- Professional mentorship from a female engineering expert, providing practical advice and careers guidance
- Empowering training and workshops, enabling scholars to meet with like-minded young women and develop their industry knowledge and confidence
- Opportunity to develop a Key Stage 3 STEM club which scholars can run in their schools, to engage young students with engineering
Through the programme, The Smallpeice Trust and STEMAZING are working to empower more young women with knowledge and opportunities to experience the exciting possibilities in engineering.
2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the nationally recognised Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, which is celebrating increased numbers of female Scholars. In 2020, the Programme supported 296 Scholars, with 45 per cent of these being female, and 38 per cent of Scholars from non-selective state schools.
Dr Kevin Stenson, CEO of The Smallpeice Trust, said:
“Engineering is at the cutting edge of innovation in society, helping to solve the big social, environmental and economic challenges to create brighter future for everyone. Sadly, the female engineers who make this possible are less visible, and we’re facing a real shortage of future female engineering talent.
“It’s essential that we work together to promote and inspire women working in STEM. We’re proud to be collaborating with STEMAZING to launch a female mentorship programme exclusively for female Arkwright Scholars. We hope this will give more female students the skills, insights and confidence to thrive in the industry.”
Alexandra Knight CEng FIMechE FWES MIAM, Founder and Director at STEMAZING Ltd, said:
“We are incredibly excited to be collaborating with The Smallpeice Trust to help empower and inspire our future female engineering talent. Initiatives just like this create the positive impact on diversity and inclusion in STEM that we so desperately need. The benefits will be seen not only in the current female scholars but in the future generations that they will go on to influence and inspire by being more confident women engineering role models.”
Leading marine robotics company, Ocean Infinity, has recently signed up to take part in the sponsor scheme. The company is developing of the world’s largest fleet of robotic vessels, set to transform the global maritime industry with safer and greener ways of working.
Ocean Infinity’s Managing Director, Dan Hook, said:
“It’s no secret that a gender imbalance exists in the maritime sector, and we firmly believe that through education and opportunity, we can create a more diverse and inclusive sector for all. That is why we are thrilled to be supporting two Arkwright Scholars.”
