Semta to support more women in science, engineering and manufacturing

Female Atkins engineers to benefit from funding, training and one-to-one coaching

Semta, the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies has announced a new programme to support 50 female engineers at Atkins as part of its career investment and progression programme.

Aimed at developing female careers in traditionally male-dominated industries, the programme, which started in June 2011 and will run until March 2012, will benefit more than 350 female employees across the UK.

At Atkins the majority of women engaged on the programme work in managerial and consultancy roles. They will benefit from further training and the opportunity to have one-to-one coaching. Following the course, £400 funding will be made available for each female employee to fulfil further training needs.

Philip Whiteman, chief executive of Semta, said: “We work with a wide range of employers, of all sizes, in what have been traditionally male-dominated industries. We are therefore eager to develop the career investment and progression programme across the country for female employees. Through previous programmes, we have supported 880 female employees which is a really positive start. Creating female role models plays a vital part in encouraging other women to consider a career in the sectors we represent.”

The programme is jointly funded by employers and Semta, through the UKCES Employer Investment Fund.

Sue Cooper, UK human resources director, Atkins, said: “The career investment and progression programme will provide our female employees with an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the skills that they need to be successful and it will help them to identify clear goals for development. There are limited opportunities for women to develop these skills, which makes the programme a very welcome initiative.”

The programme has also led to the development of a new EAL-approved qualification, EAL Level 3 Award In Career Advancement and Progression (QCF). This qualification seeks to help individuals manage themselves and have a significant positive impact on their career development.

It is hoped that the qualification together with the programme will attract and encourage more women to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing.