Schools engineering event was first class

Date: 
Thursday, 16 August, 2018

 

Around 110 young people attended an inspirational event aimed at increasing the number of women working in engineering recently.

The day was held at Turnbull High, Bishopbriggs, with pupils attending from all over East Dunbartonshire.

The Women into Engineering event included a career's fayre where pupils had the opportunity to speak to engineers from a variety of backgrounds, pick up literature, access information on routes into engineering and work placements, and to take part in workshops.

S2/S3 pupils were also shown videos of engineering projects and completed a questionnaire which allowed them to identify their strengths – with suggested routes to careers they might be suited to.

The annual event, now in its third year, is organised by Jacqueline O'Kane, Principal Teacher of Wider Achievement at Turnbull High School, and civil engineer Kirsty Jamieson.

Jacqueline said, “I would like to thank all the engineers for their time spent in creating and delivering their workshops.  Their enthusiasm has motivated our young people to consider engineering as a future career.  The event was attended by a range of companies from different engineering disciplines and was very positively received.”

Kirsty added, "This is a fantastic example of how STEM Ambassadors are bringing careers to life and inspiring tomorrow's workforce to see themselves as future engineers."

Convener of Education, Councillor Jim Goodall, was among those who attended.

He said, "The Women into Engineering event offered young people the opportunity to access valuable information on working in the sector, as well as general careers advice about options beyond school.”

International Women in Engineering Day took place on 23 June. Companies attending the event included Tony Gee, Morrison Construction, Sweco, JP Morgan, Atkins, Glasgow Caledonian University, Network Rail, Arcadis and DEVRO.

International Women in Engineering Day is an annual campaign run by the Women's Engineering Society. This year it reached over 142,000 people through its activities.

 

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