Over 1M women in STEM occupations but still account for 29% of the workforce

The latest research from the IET shows that the most prevalent reasons as to why there is such a disparity in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) is that women are not encouraged to think about STEM careers in school (45%) and women get put off by how male dominated the industry is (32%).

Nearly a quarter of UK adults think there needs to be more encouragement from when girls are young for them to pursue a career in STEM, and almost a third think men and women are equally encouraged into careers in STEM.

A third of people working in STEM believe that not enough progress has been made in reducing gender-based discrimination in the workplace, and fewer than half (48%) think it is possible to achieve gender diversity in these careers.

During the survey, when asked to name a woman – past or present – in STEM, only 8% could name any women who have made significant contributions to STEM fields.

The IET’s YWE Awards are one of the initiatives looking to change this, by celebrating women working in modern engineering to help eliminate the perception that engineering is predominantly a career for men. As well as highlighting engineering talent, the awards seek to find role models who can help address the UK science and engineering skills crisis by promoting engineering careers to more girls and women. Just 16.5% of those working in engineering occupations are women.

IET Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and WISE Managing Director, Dr Laura Norton said: “The number of women in STEM occupations has doubled to over a million in the past decade thanks to the hard work of organisations like the IET and initiatives such as the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards – but there is still a long way to go to reach gender parity.

“Our awards shine a spotlight on the incredible women up and down the country who are leading the change in breaking the stereotype and engineering a better world for us all. They provide real-life role models for younger generations to encourage greater diversity within the industry.

“We have a responsibility and opportunity to eliminate the damaging and misconceived stereotypes that currently threaten our industry. So, it’s vital that we champion engineering careers to the next generation and show them just how exciting, creative and life-changing working in this sector can be.”

The deadline for entries to this year’s IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards is 28 June 2024.