More women needed in engineering, says Brinsworth training boss

The training firm’s director, Jen Bramley, issued the call for more females to join the industry on National Women in Engineering Day 2015 which was held on Tuesday (June 23).

Jen, said: “It’s a sad fact that the engineering sector is predominately male.

“I know as a woman working in the industry, there’s a certain stigma that surrounds what people perceive to be more manual jobs, and that stigma is the reason so few women are choosing engineering as a career.

“Out of all 315 of our students here at Brinsworth Training, just 15 are female, and it needs to change.

“We need to pull together as an industry and work harder to highlight the benefits of a career in engineering for women – from the diverse range of companies you can work for within the sector, to the rewarding pay scale and long-term prospects in management, for example.”

Paige Shearwood (21), of Kimberworth, is one of the 15 female apprentices and echoed Jen’s calls, she said: “I think from the outside looking in, people do tend to think engineering is just for men, but I’m proof it’s not at all like that.

“There are so many jobs available in the industry, but girls do seem to stay away from it for some reason.

“It would be great if more of us women tried our hand at engineering and played our part in helping the sector to grow.”

She added: “I knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship from early on, but I’d not considered myself ever being an engineer.”

Paige ventured into the sector after attending a taster day at Brinsworth Training where students tried their hand at various manufacturing and engineering-based trades.

“Engineering just clicked with me,” she added.

“I’d never tried it before but I fell in love with it straight away and seemed to have a natural flair for it, so I knew there and then that engineering was what I wanted to do for a living.”

Paige began studying for an NVQ in performing engineering operations and quickly secured herself a job as an apprentice toolmaker at MGB Plastics on Mangham Road.

“Getting a new apprenticeship in engineering gave me a real confidence boost,” she said.

“Combined with the support of the staff at Brinsworth, it enabled me to focus on a career path that I genuinely enjoy and I’ve never looked back since.”

Paige is now studying on day-release from MGB Plastics, for a level three NVQ in mechanical maintenance.

Earlier this year she was shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year at the Made in Sheffield Awards.

For more information visit www.brinsworthtraining.org.uk