ONLY 3% OF GIRLS IN MAINSTREAM SCHOOLS WOULD CONSIDER A CAREER IN ENGINEERING
Girls at English schools think boys have a much better chance of getting jobs in engineering with just 43% saying they have the same opportunities in the industry. As a result, just 3% would consider a career in engineering.
At university technical colleges (UTCs) however, the picture is different. Nearly two thirds (65%) of girls believe they have the same job opportunities as boys in engineering. This trend continues in other male dominated sectors, including technology where three quarters (75%) of girls at UTCs believe they have the same job chances. In science the figure is higher still, at 83%.
The findings are part of two surveys commissioned by Baker Dearing Educational Trust, of 14-18 year old students at university technical colleges and other mainstream schools.
The surveys also show a worrying difference in how confident girls feel about getting a job when they leave education. 90% of girls at UTCs felt confident they could get a job compared to just 76% at other mainstream schools. What’s more, almost double the number of girls attending UTCs (83%) felt they had gained valuable practical skills compared to just 49% at other mainstream schools.
Lord Baker, chair of Baker Dearing Educational Trust, the charity behind UTCs, said:
“The UK has the lowest percentage of female engineering professionals in Europe[1]. We have to challenge out-dated ideas that careers in engineering, science and technology are more suitable for boys than girls. Girls at university technical colleges are leading the way, demonstrating the kind of talent, commitment and interest in these subjects that this country so desperately needs. It’s vital that this message is championed in other schools as well.”
The Royal Academy of Engineering estimates that the UK economy will require 830,000 scientists, engineers and technologists by 2020. Attracting girls as well as boys to study for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at school is crucial to meet these skills requirements.
Philip Greenish CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said,
“The UK needs many more people with skills in innovation, creativity and enterprise – skills that are fundamental to engineering and key to the UK’s competitive edge. University Technical Colleges are superbly positioned to reach out to young people from all backgrounds, male and female, and to bring to life the wonderful opportunities available from a career in engineering.”
Angela Barker-Dench, Principle of UTC Swindon, said:
“Like other UTC’s; Swindon will ensure all its students are employment ready and full of confidence whatever their gender. UTC Swindon is at the heart of its local industry, supported by 68 partners with sponsorship from Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Ltd and Oxford Brookes University; our students will study GCSE’s and A-levels along with vocational Engineering qualifications. The icing on the cake for our students will be real live projects with industry along with work experience at year 10 through to year 13. UTC Swindon’s graduates will be well placed for employment, further training or university.”
UTCs are working with organisations including the WISE Campaign to challenge stereotypes and communicate to parents and girls the diverse employment opportunities and financial rewards these careers can offer.
UTCs are specialist technical schools where employers are heavily involved in the curriculum, effectively training the next generation of Britain’s scientists, engineers and - technicians. 14-18 year olds study for GCSEs and A-Levels alongside specialist technical qualifications to give them a broad academic grounding as well as important practical skills and real life experience of work. 17 UTCs are open and more will open in September across England.
Notes to editors
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About the surveys
The research for The Baker Dearing Educational Trust was carried out by Opinion Matters and directly with students at UTCs in March and April 2014. A sample of 1691, 14-18 year old students were surveyed across both university technical colleges and mainstream schools.
About Baker Dearing Educational Trust
Baker Dearing Educational Trust was founded by Lord Baker and Lord Dearing to promote the concept of university technical colleges. It is a small, flexible organisation that sits at the centre of the UTC network and focuses on promoting and supporting new and existing UTCs.
About university technical colleges
- The UK needs advanced technical skills if we are to prosper in the 21st century. UTCs are teaching the inventors, engineers, scientists and technicians of tomorrow.
- University technical colleges (UTCs) are technical secondary schools for 14-18 year olds. They offer a broad curriculum that combines an academic education with technical and practical learning.
- UTCs integrate technical, practical and academic learning. They use the latest equipment and technology to provide an environment where students can thrive and develop the skills employers need.
- A university and local employers back each UTC.
- More than 500 employers support UTCs including Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Network Rail and Microsoft, as well as scores of small and medium sized businesses. Together with nearly 50 universities they contribute their knowledge as well as offering opportunities to experience the world of work.
- UTCs teach one or more technical specialisms that meet the skills shortages in the region. These include: engineering; manufacturing; health sciences; product design; digital technologies; and the built environment.
- 17 UTCs are open, 33 are approved and there will be 50 open by 2015. When fully operational there will be places for more than 30,000 students.
- Students from UTCs stay in full time study, start an apprenticeship, or get a job. So far no student has joined the ranks of the unemployed.
- More information about UTCs: www.utcolleges.org
Ends
Background information on UTC Swindon, a new University Technical College
UTC Swindon will be opening its doors for the first time in September 2014 and its vision is to be a college where engineering and innovation can flourish.
It will cater for 600 14 to 19 year olds interested in pursuing a career in engineering. For these young people, it will provide a fantastic opportunity to gain highly desirable skills and raise their aspirations in progressing to careers in the engineering industry in all its diverse forms.
Young people from a wide range of local towns and villages are eligible to apply – including Burford, Calne, Chippenham, Cirencester, Cricklade, Devizes, Fairford, Highworth, Hungerford, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Pewsey, Purton, Swindon and surrounding villages and hamlets.
By providing a high quality technical education from an early age, UTCs nationwide are a vital, active and additional educational choice for young people who will help to fill the UK skills gap. Across the UK, other UTCs are opening, reintroducing the option of a specialist technical education: five are already open, 12 will open in September 2013, 15 next September, including UTC Swindon, with a further 13 in 2015 - bringing the total to 45.
UTC Swindon will be run by a trust sponsored by Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University. It is a requirement that all UTCs in the country are sponsored by a university. Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells is a leading speciality chemicals company underpinned by science, technology and by its workforce. Johnson Matthey has three divisions worldwide: Environmental Technologies, Precious Metal Products and Fine Chemicals. More information is available at www.matthey.com
Oxford Brookes University is one of the UK’s leading modern universities and enjoys an international reputation for teaching excellence and innovation as well as strong links with business and industry. The university’s Faculty of Technology, Design and Environmentis leading the education planning at UTC Swindon. More information is available at www.brookes.ac.uk
UTC Swindon has chosen its preferred site for its new £10m state-of-the-art building at Bristol Street, Swindon – at the heart of the railway village in a location generously supplied by Network Rail, one of the main partners. As well as being within easy walking distance from the train and bus stations, the Bristol Street site is central to the engineering and educational heritage of the area. As part of the original Great Western Rail works, it creates a link between the ‘historic engineering’ and the ‘engineering future’ of the local area.
BAM Construction has been appointed as building contractor and a planning application has been submitted to the local authority, Swindon Borough Council. Anticipated building work will begin in the autumn of 2013, subject to planning permission and final Government approval.
As parts of the site’s industrial heritage, The Old School Building and the iconic Water Tower will be key features. Both are grade II listed structures and they will be treated sympathetically. If plans are approved, the Water Tower will be restored and brought back into educational use. The overall aim is to create an inspirational and iconic environment.
UTC Swindon will be a vocational setting, preparing young people for the world of work with an industry-based curriculum from 8.30am to 5.30 pm Monday to Thursday, finishing at 4.30 pm on Fridays – just like being at work. The aim is for students develop a work ethic, with no ‘homework’ apart from exam revision although of course students will be able to access their learning online outside these hours for independent study.
Learning will be achieved through employer set ‘projects’ which will tackle real industry issues. Students will be grouped into learning companies where they will learn to act and behave in teams. These companies will provide pastoral support and will act as a vehicle for enterprise, competition and performance management. Engineering employers will provide project support and work experience.
Alongside engineering, all 14 – 16 year olds will also take core subjects at GCSE and relevant A levels will be on offer at Post-16. There will be a wide range of enrichment activities and physical education.
Already, industry partners are lining up to support UTC Swindon – BMW UK Manufacturing Ltd, Alcatel-Lucent, Halcrow Group Ltd, Honda of the UK Manufacturing, Intel Corp UK Ltd, Network Rail, Nationwide Building Society, and Thames Water are just a few. A link is also being developed with the proposed new Ministry of Defence Technical Support Unit to be based at Lyneham.
No students will miss out on the core curriculum or basic qualifications. For 14–16 year old students (Key Stage 4), technical studies will account for 40% of the curriculum with the other 60% spent on core subjects. Learning will cover aspects of the major disciplines in engineering – chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical. In addition, all students will study a range of GCSEs including mathematics, English and science, with options to do a modern foreign language. For post-16 students (Key Stage 5) technical studies will account for 60% of the curriculum and core studies 40%, with relevant A Levels on offer for progression to university. Excellent careers guidance will be available, particularly for support into higher level engineering courses and employment in the sector.
All students will also have time dedicated to physical education, citizenship, careers education and guidance, and personal, health and social education. Work experience will also be very important as a key part of the curriculum and student experience.
Swindon has been very fortunate to get the go ahead for its UTC. Young people interested in a specialist full time technical education in the surrounding area will have the same opportunities as others where UTCs are opening successfully. And the option will also be available in the south of Wiltshire where a UTC is opening in Salisbury – South Wiltshire UTC, with details on its website: www.wiltshire-utc.co.uk
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[1] Royal Academy of Engineering
