Research highlights continuing Stem gender gap

New research has revealed that a significant number of young people believe women are not suited to working as engineers

A significant number of young people believe women are not suited to working as engineers according to research from O2. 

The research of 2,000 young people aged four to 18 highlighted how outdated stereotypes are still limiting the ambitions of the next generation. When four to 10 year-olds were prompted to name jobs better suited to men, 49% said men are better suited to working as engineers.

When asked to choose which careers they believe are better suited to women, children aged between four and 10 favoured healthcare and beauty sectors such as nursing (64%), hairdressing (63%) and looking after children (79%).

Alison Carr, director of policy at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said: “We know that when girls have access to information about the exciting range of engineering careers they show a real interest in the Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects.

“However, we need to engage better with girls and their parents about the importance of Stem subjects and the world of opportunities they can open up for young people in the engineering industry. 

“There is a growing need to change perceptions of what modern engineering is and what it can offer girls in terms of a career. The key to doing this is by changing the perceptions of parents who are highly influential in their child’s decision making processes and showing them that engineering doesn’t have to be a messy, mechanical or physically demanding career choice.

“It’s only by making the right resources and information available that we can ensure the engineering sector of the future has the rich and diverse mix of talent it needs to carry on growing and innovating.”

Similar research carried out in August 2015 from British Gas revealed that almost half of young women (48%) do not even consider working in Stem sectors when planning their future careers.

Claire Miles, managing director for HomeCare at British Gas, said: “There are some fantastic opportunities for both women and men in these sectors, so I’m concerned to hear that so many young women are put off by careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

“With boys already taking advantage of the apprenticeship opportunities available, I would encourage girls to think about engineering. Apprenticeships are a great way into an organisation, and at British Gas they allow you to earn while you learn and develop skills for life.”

The news also follows research published by the IET shows that only 7% of parents feel that engineering would appeal to their daughters as a career. 

As part of the research, IET also explored the perceptions of the engineering profession amongst parents and their children. When asked what they knew about engineering, 54% of children stated that they didn’t know anything about careers in the industry. When it comes to their interest in pursuing a career in engineering, girls (11%) are twice as likely than boys (5%) to say that they are not interested in finding out about careers in engineering.

Two in five parents (41%) stated that if asked by their child for advice about a career in engineering, they feel they wouldn’t know enough to support them. This figure is even higher among the parents of girls, with almost half (44%) saying they don’t know enough about engineering to help.

Even though Stem subjects seem to be popular among girls, only 9% of the engineering workforce in the UK is actually female.