The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Engineering more careers for women
With a woman prime minister, a woman first minister and each of the main political parties at Holyrood having a woman leader, it seems absurd that there are still industries described as “maledominated” or “female-dominated”.
Yet women account for less than 4% of people starting engineering apprenticeships. It’s an issue Dundee and Angus College is hoping to put right.
Steve Swinley, course leader in engineering and automotive technology, is determined to see more female faces in the college’s training workshops.
This year there were five female students in the automotive department and Steve and his team aim to double the number of enrolments in August.
“We have been running a series of taster events involving S4 pupils from local schools and increasingly, more and more girls are showing an interest in the automotive world,” said Steve.
He has been impressed with what he has seen, noting female students seem to have a keener eye for detail and display a more inquisitive attitude. “Female students often seem more attentive and show real mechanical aptitude,” he said.
“They ask the right questions and are clearly interested in finding out about all aspects of how engines and vehicles work – our courses foster that interest.”
With years of experience in the industry, Steve is delighted to see a change in attitudes, both from those who work in automotive engineering regarding girls in their workforce and from young women seeking to join what is often seen as a male-dominated industry.
“Good companies these days can’t afford to be blinkered by out-of-date attitudes,” said Steve.
“To succeed they have to recruit quality personnel and gender can’t be an issue.
“There is another aspect to the trade in that it is quite possible women car owners might feel more at ease dealing with women mechanics.”
To find out more about engineering courses at the college, visit www. dundeeandangus.ac.uk