Building bridges with women

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to advance the view that more women must be attracted to careers in engineering.

Design/methodology/approach

Puts forward figures to illustrate the under‐representation of women in engineering, and makes some suggestions about how this can be rectified.

Findings

Highlights the need to encourage pupils in schools towards science‐based subjects such as physics, and to create an environment where learning is not dominated by gender‐based stereotypes. Describes an initiative by UK universities to offer grants and bursaries to the brightest female students studying engineering courses. Advances the view that companies must make the case directly to women that their corporate cultures now reflect more enlightened diversity policies. Creating mentoring programs that engage girls at school and women at university will also help to develop credibility among women of the attempts being made by engineers at every level.

Practical implications

Argues the need to continue to combine different tactics to form an assertive, active and attractive campaign, promoting engineering as a source of worthwhile, rewarding and interesting career opportunities.

Originality/value

Contends that the massive under‐representation of women in engineering in the UK undermines both a sense of social justice as well as the country's mission to be the most advanced industrialized economy in the world.

Citation

Lawrance, R. (2009), "Building bridges with women", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 3-4. https://doi.org/10.1108/09670730910929350