Why we’re supporting the IET’s #9% is not enough campaign

The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) launched a social media campaign in 2016 called #9PercentIsNotEnough, asking female engineers to share a photo of themselves with 9% written on their hands, to support the need to get more females into the engineering work-place. On average, only 9% of roles in engineering and technology in the UK are filled by women. The campaign also promotes the IET’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards.
 

Design for manufacture
 

Sue Clarke, founder and managing director of Morgan Innovation & Technology Ltd is a keen supporter of bringing women into the field of engineering. Sue set up Morgan IAT in 1987 with her husband, Howard who is a fellow of the IET. The family company is leading the way in hiring a higher than industry average percentage of female graduates, apprentices and technicians.

Sue said: “We are fortunate to have an exceptional team around us. I am delighted to say that 28% of our engineering and technical staff are women, showing that, at last, women are realising that there are jobs in engineering that are interesting, satisfying, as well as challenging and not out of their reach!”

Kate Bellingham, a British engineer and TV presenter who champions girls and women in engineering agrees with the need for more girls choosing engineering and STEM at school: “With so few women choosing a career in engineering in this country, the UK is missing out on nearly half of the available talent.”

Kati Whitehead is doing a degree in electrical and electronic engineering as part of her apprenticeship as a design engineer. She was interviewed by That’s Solent TV, Portsmouth about her work as an apprentice design engineer for Morgan IAT: “I had started looking for something on the jobs market to fund myself through a maths degree with the idea of becoming a teacher. A member of the East Hampshire District Council sent my CV to Morgan IAT and they brought me in for an interview. I definitely want to stay in the field of making products for medical and military. I really enjoy it and it’s something that is genuinely useful to the community that I live in.” (Watch the video at 3:25 minutes YouTube).

For further information about careers in engineering with Morgan Innovation & Technology, visit Careers page or email info@morgan-iat.co.uk.