RS Components (RS), a distributor of electronics and maintenance products and the trading brand of Electrocomponents, is sponsoring the 2011 Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award.
The IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award is presented to the best female engineer under the age of 30 working in the UK today. Additional prizes include the Mary George Memorial Prize for apprentices and the Women's Engineering Society Prize, which is awarded to a graduate engineer. These accolades seek to recognise and celebrate the achievements of young women in engineering and aim to inspire others to enter the profession. The winners will be announced at an exclusive awards ceremony taking place on Thursday 1 December at IET London, Savoy Place.
"We are delighted to have RS Components on board as an award sponsor, as they share the IET's aim in encouraging more young women into the engineering and technology sector," says Linda Deleay, awards and prizes manager at The IET.
Jon Hull, head of resourcing at RS Components comments, "Our ongoing support of this award reflects our objective of promoting women in this sector and recognising some of the outstanding talent already out there. We are keen to support the future talent in what is clearly a growing industry."
The IET's survey of engineering and technology companies found 10% of engineering apprentices, 4% of engineering technicians and only 5% of professional engineers currently working in industry are female.
The lack of women in engineering is a significant problem. The engineering sector suffers considerable skills shortages. Attracting more women into engineering will help address skills shortages and boost the UK economy.
The IET, in partnership with others, is pursuing a range of measures to increase the number of women in engineering, including the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award.