News analysis with BESA
In pursuit of more women in engineering
Men need to take more responsibility for the shortage of women entering engineering professions, according to the President of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE)
S
peaking during International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), Professor Dame Ann Dowling said the UK had fewer female
engineers than almost any other developed country in the world and that fathers, husbands and male friends had a crucial role to play in encouraging women to take up careers in technical professions. Hundreds of events took place across the globe to support INWED and this year was the first time the UK’s annual celebration of women in engineering had an international element supported by UNESCO. It is always held on June 23, which is the day the organising body, the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), was founded in 1919. “There has never been a better time for parents to encourage their girls to embark on a career in
engineering,” said Simone Hart Sibbald from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), which sponsored the day’s events for the second year in a row.
Potential
“The career potential has never been greater because, alongside a very real skills shortage, there is clear and tangible evidence of greater acceptance of the way women can contribute in this male- dominated sector.”
Although she still finds herself sitting in industry meetings where she is outnumbered 20 to 1, Ms Sibbald, who is chair of BESA Scotland, said, “there is nothing but respect for me”.
“Building engineers have the skills and the tools
to really improve working and living conditions for thousands of people – and that should be a great motivator for any woman looking for a rewarding career. It has certainly been a huge driver for me, personally, and for my business.”
INWED 2017 saw the naming of the top 50 women in engineering under the age of 35, following a judging process that had to choose between more than 500 entries, and Dame Dowling said it was vital to have “fantastic role models” to encourage more young women to consider engineering careers. The day also took the theme: ‘Men as Allies’ and Dame Dowling told the top 50 and their guests that the shortage of women engineers was not just a “women’s issue” because it was good for business.
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR BESA VENTILATION GROUP J
oanna Robinson has been elected as the new chair of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) Ventilation Group. The Association said this was a key appointment
at an “exciting and challenging time for the ventilation sector”. The managing director of Bradford-based Mansfield Pollard was also described as a “fantastic role model for women in building engineering” by BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin. BESA is the UK's leading trade organisation for building engineering services contractors – representing the interests of firms active in the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, control and management of engineering systems and services in buildings. Its members are enjoying a growing reputation
because the role the built environment plays in improving the health, safety, well-being and productivity of people is becoming better understood and more widely recognised. “We are delighted Joanna has agreed to take on
this role for the Association. She is a fantastic role model for women in our profession and is running a business that sits right at the heart of everything our sector is trying to achieve,” said Mr McLaughlin.
Valuable
“We are doing some very important work in the area of indoor air quality (IAQ) as we strive to make buildings ‘safe havens’ that protect people from worsening levels of outdoor pollution. Joanna has extremely valuable expertise in this area to share with fellow members and the industry at large.” Mrs Robinson said she would also be using her time as chair to promote women in engineering and share her knowledge and experience with other industry professionals.
“I am committed to empowering the next
generation of female engineers and highlighting the potential career opportunities within the manufacturing and engineering sectors,” she said. “I am confident that my expertise and background will help deliver BESA’s transformative vision for improving diversity in our industry.”
She also welcomed the imminent launch of a new
ventilation hygiene scheme by BESA’s independent certification arm BESCA aimed at ensuring the competence of contractors responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of ventilation systems. The scheme is being developed in response to growing awareness of air quality issues and the risk of fires among building owners and managers.
Mansfield Pollard was founded in 1866 and is a leading provider of air management and acoustic control solutions. The firm has evolved from being a manufacturer of equipment to become a provider of bespoke design and build solutions for complex and challenging air management applications.
These solutions are delivered to a wide range of UK and international customers working in sectors as diverse as healthcare, pharmaceutical production, leisure, retail and education. The business is proud of its focus on innovation as demonstrated by the evolution of its products and service offerings and dedication to creating value for its customers.
14 August 2017
www.heatingandventilating.net
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