KELTBRAY BREAKS THE MOULD ON FEMALE STEM REPRESENTATIVES

In the UK, 12% of women in the construction industry are defined under the STEM classification. Specialist contractor, Keltbray Group, has two businesses that are breaking this mould. While 40% of Keltbray Remediation’s scientists, engineers or technicians are female, the figure is 27% for Keltbray’s in-house engineering design consultancy, Wentworth House Partnership.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science puts the spotlight on science and gender equality; both of which are vital to achieve internationally agreed sustainability goals. Sadly, this focus on engaging women and girls in science continues to be relevant.

In the UK, there is still a huge drop off in the number of girls studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at the age of 16. Just 35% of girls choose maths, physics, computing or a technical vocational qualification compared to 94% of boys. This reduces the number going on to do a degree or level 4 qualification in maths, physics, computer science or engineering (9% of girls compared to 29% of boys).

Within Architecture, Building and Planning women now represent just 27% of graduates compared to 35% in 2016. The picture is similarly disappointing in engineering, where for the third year in a row, women represent just 14% of graduates. (For more information on these stats, see www.wisecampaign.org.uk

“While the number of women is slowly increasing, construction remains one of the most male dominated industries in the UK. With the industry at full throttle we need a dynamic and diverse workforce to help deliver it. Forecasts suggest that an additional 200,000 jobs will be created in the construction industry over the next five years, and that more than twice that could retire over the same period.

“It is important that we pull out all the stops and widen the talent pool to tap into the real diversity that exists in this country, both in terms of female and ethnic minority capacity,” said Keltbray’s Training & Development Director, Holly Price.

Keltbray Remediation Scientist, Dr Ruth Garcia agrees: “We should remember that science has no gender. Brains are equal, there are skills and opportunities for everyone who wishes to study or work in the science and engineering field,” she concluded.