WOMEN IN ENGINEERING DAY 2018 8 NEWS / COVER STORIES
AUTOMATION EDUCATION
An engineering apprentice has told Welding World that she hopes to inspire other young girls and women into industry as part of Women in Engineering Day. The event, held in June, highlights that only 11% of the engineering workforce in the UK is female (
wisecampaign.org.uk). Government statistics also show that the UK is lagging behind other European countries such as Latvia, Bulgaria and Cyprus, who have almost 30% of women in engineering roles (
Gov.uk). Lilly James, who studies at Sussex Coast College, is currently working as a scientific glassblower. A typical day at college is usually in the workshop doing practical tasks on the machines, whether
that is turning, milling, welding or fabricating various tools to specification of engineers’ drawings. Commenting on the
opportunities engineering has presented her, Lilly said: “I’ve always enjoyed making arts and crafts, and the role as a glassblower really appealed to me, so I thought I would apply. Being able to learn and work in an industry that I genuinely enjoy is immensely satisfying and the fact that I can learn practical skills in metalwork, which will be useful at work and in everyday life, and get paid, is great.
“I love engineering, but I was a little worried at first when I discovered I was the only woman in the class at college. However, I have been treated with nothing but respect and as an equal, and
made to feel comfortable and accepted.
“I do understand though that for some women, especially in the past, it has been a long hard road to be accepted and to be on equal footing. Even now, there may be women in the industry who have their opinions overlooked by customers, and even colleagues, purely because of their gender, and that’s not acceptable.
“I have enjoyed the past year at work and college. I had never done any metalwork before, so everything at college was brand new to me.” National Women in
Engineering Day was launched for the first time in the UK on 23rd June 2014 and aims to raise awareness and encourage more women to get into the sector.
Reflecting on the event Lilly said: “I think that Women in Engineering Day is a great and important way to draw attention to the lack of women in the industry. I hope that this day is able to inspire young girls to want to work in the industry. I also hope that it helps us to reach a point where women in engineering becomes normal and that women are treated the same as men; being judged on the quality of their work without gender bias.” Sussex Coast College Hastings offers a number of full-time, part-time, and apprenticeship engineering courses, including degree level, throughout the year and is still taking applications for the next academic year starting in September 2018. Visit
www.sussexcoast.ac.uk for more information.
WELDING WORLD MAGAZINE | ISSUE 04 | AUGUST 2018
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