Females in engineering industry

[Mike_BG]

Dear all

I am a recruiter for a large utilty business and would like to know your opinions on the following.

What stops females from applying for engineering apprenticeships?

I would like to know if there are specific reasons such as the kind of work not being attractive, not advertising in the right places, did not know there are opportunities within the industry for females, stereotyping and if so what stereotyping etc etc.

The reason I ask is that we welcome applications from all races, backgrounds, age and gender, however we always have a low application level from females. We advertise apprenticeships for service & repair, installations within the gas industry, also trainee electrician roles.

I look forward to the feedback.

Regards

Mike

[jackthehat]

I thing the main thing to overcome is the image and stereotyping of engineers/fitters, etc.
Boiler-suits and spanners probably feature highly in the imagination when girls are confronted with the word 'Engineer'.
Also, physical strength, or lack of, can be a deterrent. If girls think they are going to have to hump heavy things about it may disincline them from applying.

Using (staged, if necessary) photo-montages of the less arduous tasks available in your business, to get initial responses may be an option. One you have engaged the girls with the 'possibility' of employment in your industry, then you'll have an opportunity to convince them that they can build a career in such a service.

[joko]

i dont think ist because they wont or cant...just that there just isnt the interest in the subject...i think most women just dont get into that kind of thing to the level of making a career out of it

i am very much hands on female - i build stage sets, carpentry, unholstery, tiling, minor electrical stuff...all stereotypically male things - but its a means to an end for me i would never wish to make it into a career - its dull...

[mrs_overall]

As we speak, my neighbour opposite is having some work done by a female British Gas employee.

It wouldn't do for me - it would ruin my nails