IoR supports Women in Engineering day
13th February 2018
UK: The Institute of Refrigeration will again be supporting this year’s International Women in Engineering Day on June 23.
International Women in Engineering Day is an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering, celebrate the achievements of women engineers and focus attention on the career opportunities available to girls in this industry.
Proud to be continuing support and sponsorship of the event, IoR president Steve Gill said: “It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and serves to encourage more young people and women to consider careers in engineering, or to return to it. The IoR is working to raise the profile of women engineers working within the RACHP industry by recognising the positive impact they make, and by actively promoting gender diversity and inclusivity.”
As part of its mission to promote careers in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector the IoR has set up a Women in RACHP networking group. The group provides a platform for young professionals looking for information on how to enter the sector and on ways to further their career. With guest speakers and experts in their fields, the events are an excellent way to gather careers advice and meet others working in RACHP.
With women only representing 11% of the workforce in the engineering sector, the UK has the lowest percentage of women engineers in Europe, according to the Womens Engineering Society. This is in spite of the engineering industry suffering from a chronic staff shortage. In 2017, the annual shortfall of the right engineering skills was estimated at between 25,500 (level 3) and up to 60,000 (over level 4 skills). It has been suggested that to cover this shortage the UK will need to at least double the number of university engineering students, which means that attracting underrepresented groups such as women is essential to maintain the sector’s sustainability.
Related stories:
Women in RACHP meet on March 14 – 11 February 2018
UK: The IoR Women in RACHP Networking Breakfast is back, providing a platform for current professionals working in the industry and wishing to further their careers. Read more…
