School and college girls should seize career opportunities, say top women engineers

Top female engineers from across the East Midlands will share their career journeys and ambitions with school and college girls at an event hosted by the University of Derby.

The ‘Women in Engineering’ event, which is supported by Rolls-Royce and Bombardier, will be held at the University’s Kedleston Road site on Tuesday, March 8 from 6pm to 9pm.

Aimed at girls in schools and colleges across the region, the event will raise the profile of engineering through a series of short, snappy ‘best bit’ presentations, which will showcase a variety of career journeys and highlights to date by women at the top of their fields.

Speakers on the evening will include:

• Professor Angela Dean, Head of the Department of Engineering, University of Derby
• Paula Gwinnett, Director of Engineering at The JCB Academy
• Linda Wain, East Midlands Trains
• Claire Machin, RB Safety Consultants
• Hannah Taylor, Advanced Technical Apprentice, Rolls Royce
• Sophie Woodings, Mechanical and Manufacturing Apprentice, Bombardier
• Charlotte Tolley, a second year BEng Motorsport student at the University of Derby

Attendees will also hear a Q&A panel discussion where the speakers will be joined by Shobha Tynan, Acting Principal at Derby Manufacturing University Technical College (UTC).

They will also have the opportunity to network and sign up for ‘hands on’ sessions with Bombardier, Rolls Royce, Derby UTC and Derby College.

Speaking ahead of the event, Paula Gwinnett said: “After a successful career in engineering and business, spanning the last 30 years, I’d like to think that I know what it takes to succeed. I also know that there are many young women who have just the right qualities to excel in this amazing profession but for whom a career in engineering still seems an exception to convention.

“But that’s just the point - a career in engineering is exceptional and no two careers are the same. The Women in Engineering event gives those of us who have enjoyed the huge rewards and fulfilment that an engineering career can provide the chance to share our experiences and to smash a few myths and perceptions; to ask and answer the question ‘why be an engineer?’ or, better still, ‘why not?’”

Angela Dean added: “The College of Engineering and Technology is excited to host the Women in Engineering event for the second year running. Last year’s event was a huge success with high-profile organisation across the region getting involved.

“Manufacturing and engineering are very important to Derby in maintaining our economic prosperity and so, encouraging women as well as men to enter the profession with the help of an event like this, is essential for the city.”