Girls in Hull and East Riding learn about jobs in male-dominated engineering sector

GIRLS have been learning how to engineer a future in jobs previously seen as male-dominated careers.

Seventy pupils from seven Hull and East Riding schools joined forces at a Girls Allowed day to find out about careers in science, technology and engineering.

The event at Longcroft School in Beverley was for Year 10 pupils, aged 15 and 16, and attracted students from Withernsea, Hornsea, Hessle Wolfreton, Beverley High School and Newland School for Girls, in Hull.

Beci Pindar, head of maths at Withernsea High School, said: "The aim was to raise the profile of girls in engineering and dispel any myths that they may have about engineering being a dirty job or not a job for females.

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"I trained as an engineer and I believe it's important to raise the profile of engineering among girls as they're looking to their subject and career choices.

"Companies need to offer diversity and equality and when you have females working in a team of males in any job it brings a balance of ideas."

As the region looks to become a hub for the renewables industry, Mrs Pindar insists there has never been a better time to look towards careers in science, technology and engineering.

She said: "It's the ideal time now with what's going on in the area to look at emerging opportunities.

"The engineering industry is very wide and there are lots of jobs out there so we need to raise students' awareness. A lot of students tend to aspire to move out of the area to get these sort of jobs and now these jobs are going to be in this area, too."

Students were interested to hear first hand about the experiences of women working in engineering jobs at local employers such as BP.

Hornsea School pupil Hannah Rawson, 15, said: "I think the future is in science and engineering.

"I believe I would be able to bring new ideas and perspectives to things as a female.

"It's also exciting that this area is going to be an important centre for energy and renewables industries. At school we have been learning about the wind farms developments for the area, so there will be new opportunities and challenges."

Withernsea High School pupil Beth Day, 15, said: "This event has really opened up my mind about what career opportunities are available.

"Originally, I thought I would go to university but I have had my mind opened to other options.

"I would like to be employed locally so I am considering an apprenticeship route.

"I don't think I would have considered it previously."

Sally Richardson, community partnership co-ordinator at Hornsea School And Language College, accompanied 13 students to the event.

She said: "Our Year 10 girls enjoyed hearing about the many areas of engineering career opportunities they could consider.

"It was great to hear about this from a number of hugely successful women who have exciting careers in engineering and several of the girls are now interested in finding out more."