Research suggests pandemic is widening engineering gender gap

 The group has said that before the pandemic, the gender gap in engineering already existed with women making up just 12% of the workforce but the current situation is “deepening gender differences in career aspirations in engineering or technology”.

As part of the survey, just over 1,100 young people aged 11 to 19 were asked about their attitudes and the degree to which their educational and career aspirations have been affected by the pandemic. While, positively for the sector, a large majority of young people believe engineering had an important role to play in fighting elements of the pandemic, the gender gap when it comes to considering an engineering or technology career is still very much prevalent.

Engineering UK chief executive Hilary computer engineering career said: “This survey, as well as our recent Educational pathways into engineering report, shows that now more than ever we need to work together to encourage young people from groups underrepresented in engineering and technology to progress into the sector. The survey suggests that, unless we take action, gender disparity will increase.