Parents can play a key role into getting more girls into engineering roles by creating a supportive environment at home as the children grow up.
West Midlands recruitment specialist Pertemps is championing this message by working on initiatives to boost female representation in STEM as part of an ongoing campaign.
Only 16.9 per cent of the UK workforce of engineers is made up of women, compared to 56 per cent in other professions.
But while schools, colleges and businesses are working to improve this ratio, a leading female engineer has warned not to underestimate influence of early life at home on naturally opening doors for STEM careers for girls.
Lina Huertas, industry executive for manufacturing with Microsoft, who has been working with Meriden-based Pertemps on a series of podcasts on the topic, said: “It's just hard to imagine yourself as something that you don't know.
"So if you don't know something, you're probably very unlikely to become it. But if you've had the chance, if you've had the exposure to it, then it suddenly becomes a possibility.
“When I was growing up, my dad was really interested in cars. We were two girls and one boy. We were all treated the same and we were all given the chance to go and have a look at the engine or, when I was learning to drive, dad would have taught me how to do a quick fix in the engine at the back.
“They also have a small manufacturing business and, because they both worked during holidays, they'd be bringing us to the business and so we’d have plenty of chances to see machines, materials, kind of production lines and design. And I think just having the chance to do it really got me involved.”
She added that school projects can also help significantly as they make related topics that girls may shy away from more attractive and entertaining. And she firmly believes that what they are exposed to at home in their childhood really can impact the career they pursue.
“It’s important that boys and girls are given the exposure, for example, through toys and experiences," said Lina. “Parents are the first and probably most lasting influence in people's lives. I think, from parents to teachers and mentors, we all have that duty. Sometimes we don't realise that we're having that role, but it can make a huge difference.”
Pertemps has also published a book for primary school girls talking about the opportunities in engineering. You can find it here.
