On Sunday 23rd June, the world celebrates women’s contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), a space where women have been historically underrepresented. In 2023, only 31% of STEM students in UK higher education are women or nonbinary.
That statistic is even smaller in engineering, where women make up just 16.5% of all engineers as of 2023. The tide is beginning to turn as in 2010, the number sat at approximately 562,000 and rose to 936,000 in 2021. Though there are multiple ways to access engineering courses, apprenticeships are one way women can advance into STEM careers, letting them learn and earn at the same time.
This year, the theme is ‘enhanced by engineering’. The day explores how engineering career paths enrich women’s lives – providing long-term, skills-based employment that allows them to problem solve in diverse environments – from developing life-saving hospital equipment to sustainable building solutions.
At Integral, we have 30 female engineers. We continuously seek out and encourage women to explore our apprenticeship vacancies so we can help more women take their first step into engineering.
Our work
The in-house projects , mechanical and electrical services we offer require engineering and engineering maintenance skills, along with skills in electrical works, plumbing, heating, and ventilation. These are all pathways offered through our apprenticeships.
Still, we are striving to do more. Rather than just talking to women about an engineering career path, we want to start educating people from a young age. Our apprenticeship programme leaders are currently reviewing the best strategies for school outreach which includes speaking to pupils of all ages, but especially those aged 11-13 to interest young women before they make their GCSE choices.
Reach out
Are you interested in a career in engineering? At Integral, we have on average 175 apprentices studying at any one time.
We also want to diversify and grow all our apprenticeships by 25%. We offer Facilities Management, Business Administration, Finance and Management, Human Resources and Learning and Development apprenticeships that suit a wide range of interests. No matter your age or where you are in your career, apprenticeships offer structured support and a feeling of the working world.
Explore
If you want to find out more about apprenticeships, you can also contact the nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk, or call their number: 0800 0150 400.
