12 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007

WANTED: Women-led Saving the bath water recycling businesses

THE LONDON DEVELOPMENT MEL BLYTHE , an was very high and we AGENCY (LDA) is investing £3 inventor and teaching had a tough job deciding million into the recycling sector assistant, has won first which invention should in London, through its enhance prize in the Powergen scoop the top prize. But business support programme. It EnergyLab competition Mel’s invention really is particularly aiming to assist – a nationwide search stood out for us and we women-led businesses and other to find the best energy look forward to seeing it under-represented groups in efficient product ideas. being developed over London. Mel was the only the next few months.” Helen Keenan, director of female entrant amongst “I can’t believe my Product Development, London over a hundred com- invention has won the Development Agency, said:.“In petitors. She will now competition,” said Mel. its first 18 months, enhance have the opportunity to “As a mum myself, this helped grow over 170 ‘green’ work with LIFE-IC, a was just something I enterprises. We’re hoping the state of the art support service for device for baths – fought off stiff came up with to make my life eas- service will create another 20 the development of clean energy competition at the national final ier. I’ve always believed it was a new businesses and 200 jobs in technologies, which will provide held at the Tate Modern gallery in great idea, so it’s brilliant that the London over the next 18 support and advice to help get her London. Powergen judges have recognised months. idea into production Judging panel chairman, Trevor its potential too.“ Businesses requiring assistance The winning entry – an ingen- Baylis said: “The standard of For further information see can apply online at ious water and energy-saving entries we reviewed at the final www.powergenenergylab.co.uk. www.enhancelondon.co.uk.

school groups. POTENTIAL BIOFUELS for products, such as the Sensidry heat Other renewable energy gener- transport are being investi- pump tumble dryer (shown below) ating devices on the WISE building gated in a Royal Society survey. that boasts record-low energy con- will include 70m2 of evacuated This will look at how scientific tubes for solar water heating, and developments could tackle prob- Green a massive woodchip-fired com- lems associated with biofuels cur- bined heat and power (CHP) plant. rently on the market, such as This will provide 250kW of heat biodiesel, derived from soya or for the whole site, and 100kW of rapeseed, and bioethanol, made electricity. CAT will sell the excess from wheat or sugar beet. News back to the Grid. Professor John Pickett, chair of the Royal Society biofuels working group, said: “There is a huge THE UK’S FIRST ecological amount of excitement around these e-commerce website, fuels. The government has made a www.online-ecosurvey.co.uk, commitment that 5 per cent of all THE WALES INSTITUTE of has been launched by ADAS, fuels used for road vehicles should Sustainable Energy, under providers of environmental and come from biofuels by 2010. construction at the Centre for rural solutions and policy advice. “Our study will investigate what Alternative Technology (CAT) in It will enable a range of environ- could realistically be achieved in sumption, and is engaged in other Machynlleth, will showcase a range mental services to be bought terms of cost, yield and environ- programmes contributing to the of new renewable technologies online, and is targeted at the land mental impacts, particularly in rela- sustainable use of energy. including a new solar roof. and property development indus- tion to minimising greenhouse gas Electrolux’s chief executive officer The new 6kW photovoltaic (PV) try, as well as engineers, architects, emissions.” Hans Stråberg says that energy effi - roof will generate electricity for the planners and surveyors. The working group is expected ciency has improved by about 40% new Institute, which is CAT’s A particular concern at this time to report on its findings in autumn in the last decade for the com- biggest ever project – a mini-univer - of year is problems for land devel- this year.. pany’s major appliances. sity teaching all kinds of environ- opment and engineering projects Anyone interested in contributing “We estimate that there are mental courses, a conference venue posed by species such as bats, evidence should contact the Royal about 200 million appliances that and an educational building for lizards and newts. Society or see the website are more than 10 years old current- If long-eared bats www.royalsoc.ac.uk/policy. ly in use in European households. are discovered, plan- By replacing these, we could cut ning modifications ELECTROLUX HAS won the carbon dioxide emissions by some could be required, sig- Sustainable Energy Award in 22 million tonnes per year, corre- nificantly delaying a the Corporate Commitment sponding to 6% of the EU’s Kyoto project, and great Category from the European target,” said Mr Stråberg. crested newts on a Commission in recognition of its building site could cost efforts to reduce energy consump- Artist’s impression of the Wales a developer in the tion of products, factories and serv- Institute of Sustainable Energy region of £80,000 to ices. The company has developed (courtesy of CAT) relocate. THE

WVolume 17,oman Number 15 – Spring 2007 Engineerwww.wes.org.uk Karen Burt Award winner p6 Young Woman Engineer of the Year p7 Pensions for women p4

to raise its profile. I have recent- An ambassador for apprenticeships ly found out the Careers Wales, Cardiff & the Vale staff are ES member going to be awarding me with Young Woman Engineer of Ker ry Cope an equal opportunities award the Year winners...see pp 7-8 Wwas one of for the voluntary work that I four training success sto- undertook with them during ries from the manufactur- 2006. President’ s ing sector that were cele- “Winning the award really is message brated at the National a tribute to all of the people Training Awards’ gala cer- that helped to support me appy emony held in London in throughout my apprenticeship H New December. and beyond.” Year. Kerry initially planned Unfortunately, Kerry’s This to train as a solicitor, but employer went in the adminis- year has instead she undertook an tration during November last started apprenticeship with year. with a lot Llandaff Engineering in “Winning the award gave me of activi- 1998. This has led to an the confidence to see redun- ty. Some WES members and I impressive record of dancy as an opportunity,” said attended The Young Woman achievements – the latest Kerry. Engineer of the Year Award of which is a coveted “I am now employed as a ceremony, which this year was National Training Award. ing,” said Kerry. “I am a huge advo- general manager for a vehicle salvage a much bigger affair incorpo- During her apprenticeship Kerry cate of apprenticeships and engineer- and reclamation yard – and that is rating the presentation of the gained her ONC, a City & Guilds in ing. I volunteer as an engineering probably another story in the mak- Dyson Young Woman CAD and CNC Machining. She went ambassador for SETPoint Wales, act ing.” Apprentice of the Year Award on to achieve an HND, an NVQ Level as the Cluster contact for WES Wales Kerry received her award from and the Ford WISE Prize. 4 in management, City & Guilds in producing the newsletter, help with sports commentator, Colin Jackson. For those of you that aren’t Quality Assurance and is working the Careers Wales K’nex challenge, Colin Jackson said: “Training in aware, the WES has a long towards the CIPS Professional attend schools promoting engineering sport and business are very similar. In history with the Caroline Diploma. and management. both you can only achieve success if Haslett Memorial Trust. The In the middle of her apprentice- “I try to promote engineering in you develop your skills and are pre- Trust implemented the Young ship, she was asked to take on the general and not just amongst pared to overcome hurdles to reach Woman Engineer of the Year role formerly held by the company’s women. All of the National Training your goals!” Award 29 years ago in memo - purchasing manager, for which she stories are very impressive and show UK Skills runs the awards on behalf ry of Dame Caroline Haslett. received only a two-week introduc- that dedication and enthusiasm are a of the Department for Education and The trust was formed in 1945 tion to the job. winning combination. Skills. Entries are now open for the to commemorate the 21st In 2000, Kerry was named Barry “I believe that Britain does not 2007 National Training Awards. For anniversary of the Electrical College’s Best ONC Manufacturing actively promote and encourage engi- more information visit www.national- Association for Women. It Student, and the next year she was neering, and it falls to people like me trainingawards.com. became a memorial to Dame VGTA Mechanical Trainee of the Year. Caroline Haslett following her She won the University of Glamorgan death in 1957. Award for Best HND Manufacturing Academy will raise skills levels in manufacturing Dame Caroline was born in Student, and in 2004 was named he National Manufacturing Skills neering, electronics, mechanical 1895. In 1919 she became ELWa Learner of the Year. She was a TAcademy (NMSA) was launched engineering and metal trades, the first secretary of the Western Mail Woman of the Year at the end of January. It is one of motor vehicles (automotive), ship- Women’s Engineering Society finalist in 2005 and a WISE (Women the first National Skills Academies building, bio technology, nanotech- (she later became President in in Science, Engineering and to be approved by the Department nology, mathematics, and forensic 1940). Construction) Excellence Award final- for Education and Skills (DfES) and science. Full details are available on Out of WES grew the ist. will deliver training and education, www.manufacturing.nsacademy.co. Electrical Association for The NTA Judges commented that including the development of con- uk. Women and Caroline Haslett Kerry was an excellent role model tent and validation of trainers and The NMSA is one of four was appointed its Director and champion for work-based learn- assessors, for large and small manu- National Skills Academies and Secretary. Through the ing. They were particularly impressed facturing sector employers. announced by the government last Association she encouraged by her determination and the very SEMTA, the Sector Skills Council October. The others are for con- the use of power in the appropriate qualifications that she for Science, Engineering and struction, financial services, food home, believing that electricity achieved at an early age. Manufacturing Technologies, is and drink. All.are expected to sub- was the real emancipator of “Basically, I won the award leading the NMSA. mit business plans by late spring women. because of my dedication towards The NMSA will work with organi - with a view to opening to learners learning and promoting engineer- sations in aerospace, electrical engi- from autumn 2007. Continues on page 3 2 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007

The Women’ s hose who braved the worst Year award winners are featured on Engineering Society snow of the winter to attend pages 7-8. There appears to be no is a charity registered with the the Daphne Jackson lecture shortage of talented young women Charity Commission No. 1008913 T and a company limited by guar - found that they were in for a treat. It engineers applying for these. antee registered in England No. was a truly inspiring lecture giving an However, a couple of recent 162096. exciting vision of the next develop- reports indicate that despite efforts age – over the last couple of years. All correspondence regarding ments in communications technology. to increase the number of women Retirement may seem quite a long membership and the work of It also demonstrated that women can studying engineering at university, way off for many of you, but the the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) should be be in the forefront of ground-break- quite a few engineering graduates sooner you start saving, the more addressed to: ing technology. See page 5 for a brief chose not to work as engineers. generous your pension will be. The Secretary report on an inspirational evening. Indications are that the workplace On page 4, Anna Sofat explains Women’s Engineering Society There was another highlight that culture that they encounter during the sort of pensions that are available c/o IET Michael Faraday House evening, the presentation of the industrial placements can often be and the issues that you should be Six Hills Way Karen Burt Award (see page 6). This detrimental (see page 9 for more considering when planning for retire- STEVENAGE SG1 2AY year’s winner was nominated by the details). The Woman Engineer would ment. Tel: 01438 765506 e-mail: [email protected] Institution of Highways and be interested to hear about mem- Are you a member of an engineer- www.wes.org.uk Transportation – the first time that a bers’ experiences on industrial place- ing institution? The chart opposite

The Woman Engineer Editor : winner has not come from one of the ments – and your coping mech- shows the percentage of women in Pat Battams major engineering institutions. anisms. your institution. Would you like to e-mail: [email protected] The first two months of the year There has been quite a lot of help boost the number of women Editorial Boar d: were notable for engineering awards. media coverage on different pensions members? If so WES would like to Ruth Carter, Jacky Crook, Petra Godwin, Dianne Patterson, The Young Woman Engineer of the schemes – and changes in retirement hear from you. Karen Quigley, Connie Shirley, Natalie Wiseman

The Woman Engineer is pub- groups of Year 10 girls, as part of lished by the Women’s Does engineering excite you? events stimulating interest in engi- Engineering Society. It is distrib- uted free of charge to members The Verena Holmes Lectures have neering, science and technology. of the Society and to selected he trustees of the Verena been given in a number of different The holder of this prestigious annu- professional women engineers, Holmes Lecture Fund are con- formats since they started in 1969. al title will receive a modest honorari- scientists and women under- graduates at universities and col- Tducting a nationwide search for The Lecture has been given by promi- um, public recognition at the WES leges. the Verena Holmes Lecturer nent female engineers to sixth form- conference – and of course this Subscriptions : the journal is 2007/2008. ers. It has also been given in the form would be a great boost to your CV. available to non WES members This special person will act as a role of interactive presentations by com- If you would like to be this year’s in the UK at a subscription price of £20.00pa (inc postage). Please model for teenage girls. The trustees pany teams from BT, GKN, Laings and Verena Holmes Lecturer, send your send applications for subscrip- are looking for an engineer in the Ford to secondary and primary pupils. CV with a covering letter explaining tions to WES. Cheques should be made payable to: Women’s early stages of their professional Now the trustees are launching a why you should be chosen and a Engineering Society. career who is able to enthuse and new format to continue to celebrate brief statement of recommendation Overseas subscriptions : price encourage Year 10 (aged 14-15) girls the memory of one of our foremost from your employer (including a com- by surface mail is £25.00pa. to appreciate the contribution that woman engineers. mitment to cover your travel expenses Sterling cheques or bank drafts should be made payable to: engineering makes to our world – The 2007 Verena Holmes Lecturer and time away from work). Please Women’s Engineering Society. and to consider the benefits of pursu- will make a number of presentations send this to [email protected] by 31 All letters and articles for inclu - ing a career in this field. around the country to significant March. sion in The Woman Engineer should be sent to the Editor at the same address. Brunel competition The views expressed in this prizewinners Can you hear me? ☛ journal are not necessarily Do people always seem to be the views of the Society. Rosemary Mortimer mumbling when they talk to you? (c) Copyright: The Woman Helen Kirby ight out of ten people in this ☛ Do you have trouble hearing Engineer 2007 Karen Ashworth Ecountry have never had a hear- the doorbell or telephone? Deadline for next issue: Lucy Rogers ing test, compared to one in ten ☛ Do you find it easier to follow a 15 April 2007 Wendy Brown who have never had a sight test. A conversation if you are looking Inside this issue... Anne Stewart poll of 4000 people discovered that directly at the person speaking to 2 Verena Holmes lecturer Natasha Watson three-quarters of those over the you? Kerrine Bryan ☛ Do you find it hard to follow a 3 Professional institutions and age of 50 have never had a test, women members Helen Fennell conversation in a group? despite the fact that 40% of peo- ☛ 3 Lady Finniston Award Julie Winnard Are you constantly asking peo - ple in this age group will have ple to repeat themselves? 5 Dynamic plastics: Daphne Winners were drawn from 34 cor- some degree of hearing loss. ☛ Do others complain that you Jackson lecture rect answers received. Answers: An estimated one in seven peo- have the volume turned up too 9 Why don’t engineering stu- 1. Uxbridge, west of London ple in the UK has hearing loss. high on the TV? dents become engineers? 2. 2nd During January, Hearing Clearer If you answered yes to any of the 10 News 3. Clifton Suspension Bridge* Awareness Month, a campaign was above questions, then it is worth 10 New members launched to encourage everyone to booking a hearing test. 11 Your letters *SS Great Eastern was launched dur - get regular hearing tests. For more details on hearing loss, ing his lifetime but not finished until 11 Members’ news after his death Pointers to identify hearing loss: visit www.hearingclearer.co.uk. 12 Green news The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007 11

Your letters should be YOUR sent to: WES Editor, c/o IET, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, STEVENAGE SG1 2AY or e-mail to [email protected]

Diary Dear Editor 14 March Climate for Betty becomes a Change: Women in SET – How do members feel about the idea Fellow Having an Enviro n m e n t a l that at each WES Conference a group Impact, UKRC Third Annual photo would be taken of those who WES treasurer Betty McCarthy has C o n f e rence, British Museum, have attended (appearance would be been awarded a fellowship of the L o n d o n voluntary). British Computer Society. If names were taken, it would be a Betty attributes this to: “hard 22-23 Mar c h G l o b a l useful historic record. work; having a ‘bee in my bonnet’ Marathon for Women in about computing being a branch E n g i n e e r i n g , Betty McCarthy , Hon Treasurer of engineering; believing comput- ing should be done ‘properly’ and 21 April WES Council professionally; an accident.” meeting, at Ford Dunton Use your WES The ‘accident’ was that her inter- Technical Centre, Essex. All membership est in computers was stimulated members are welcome to whilst working as an HM Customs a t t e n d . As a WES member, are you & Excise VAT Visiting Officer in the aware that you can use 1970s. “I tended to end up with Betty at the last ICWES confer - Please send all diary MWES after your name? the computer traders as I found ence in Seoul items to [email protected] . u k Doing so will indicate their records very interesting,” said or post to the addre s s your support for WES and Betty. Essex branch of the BCS to keep above. Deadline for next help to raise awareness of Via information provided by up with what was going on in the issue 15 April 2007. the Society . WES, Betty took a computer engi- outside computing industry and the neering degree as a mature student London branch of WES to attend at City University. Betty recalls: cross engineering discipline meet- “Maria Watkins had a tea party for ings. My main holidays were either the women engineers at City pottery courses or WES confer - Members’ news University and I signed up for WES ence.” and the Institution of Electrical Betty, of course, did not just join Engineers (IEE) as a student mem- in branch activities but became ber (accidentally right box ticked).” very active in both BCS and WES. She then returned to the HM “I was very flattered when the Congratulations 2002, Jacqui has seen membership Customs & Excise and eventually local Essex BCS branch suggested increase more than threefold, and joined the Computer Department they would sponsor me to be a (as it was then known) at Fellow (BCS) and I got it! They had FCS now has a stronger input and Southend. already recommended me for a Council member Heather Parkes influence in government and regula- “I became an Associate Member Branch Long Service Award for has become a Chartered Engineer tory decisions. of the BCS (accidentally right box work as branch committee mem- with the Institution of Chemical Jacqui graduated in industrial ticked) and joined the local South ber.” Engineers. chemistry at the City University and has previously South-East London to appoint Jacqui Brookes , the chief executive worked in the IT new magistrates. officer (CEO) of the Federation of industry, at the Ted Beddoes, FCS chairman Communication Services (FCS), has DTI and for the said, “Jacqui’s award is richly been awarded an OBE in the Patent Office. deserved and makes a fantas - Queen’s New Year Honours. The She has been tic end to the 25th anniver- award recognises her contribution to a WES Council sary year of the Federation. It the industry by proactively represent- member and a is great news that the FCS ing small and medium enterprises member of the and its members, through her with the government and the tele- board of ICWES- diligent work, is being recog- coms regulator OFCOM. UK (International nised in this way – the UK Jacqui has been deeply committed Conference of continues to present a dynam- to the radio, fixed and mobile Women ic competitive environment telecommunications industry for Engineers and with great opportunities for more than 15 years. She originally Scientists). the new and developing busi - joined FCS in 1990 to manage trade She also works nesses the FCS represents.” association projects. with the lay Since becoming CEO of FCS in magistracy in 10 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007

Keep us informed of your THE MIDLANDS ENGINEERING Pupils from Eckington School Industries Redeployment await their turn inside ERIC latest news by writing to: Group (MEIRG) dispatched its mobile The Woman Engineer, resource ERIC (Engineering Resource Amos, a 16 year-old pupil of IN ITS REPORT, ‘Working out- c/o IET, Michael Faraday Innovation Centre) to Midlands Eckington School who recently side the box’, the Equal events during Enterprise Week (13-19 received the title of Young Engineer Opportunities Commission reveals House, Six Hills Way, November) to teach schoolchildren for Britain. that 6.5 million people in Britain STEVENAGE SG1 2AY about engineering and encourage Jan Staley, project manager at could be using their skills more fully if more school-leavers into the industry. MEIRG said; “Part of our remit is to more flexible working was available. or via e-mail to ERIC is fully equipped with the lat- encourage more school-leavers into It warns that rigid working practices [email protected] est technology, including computers, engineering and with ERIC we can go are driving highly qualified workers interactive projects and information on-site to make information on engi- into jobs below their skill level in on engineering designed to allow neering accessible, relevant and inter- order to achieve a work-life balance. New Members MEIRG, a not-for-profit public-private esting. The report goes on to say: partnership, to deliver its services on- “However, ERIC isn’t just for “Outdated workplace cultures are Busola Akisanya , Stoke-on- site. schoolchildren. It has been designed further damaging the economy by Tre n t The first event took place at for a multitude of roles including increasing pressure on an over- Belinda Fitzgerald , Newton Bulwell Precision Engineers in delivering training to engineering stretched transport system.” M e a rn s Nottinghamshire. Forty-five school- companies on site; as a support for The EOC findings are endorsed by Helen Gough , Cheltenham children aged 15-16 and their teach- companies making redundancies and Work Wise UK whose concordat on Sophia Holtsnider , Guildford ers were given a talk on innovation in to raise awareness of engineering to flexible working has been signed by a Kanchana Jeganathan , engineering, and took part in a man- those that may feel excluded from number of major organisations Southend on Sea ufacturing game on ERIC to set up a entering the sector.” including the TUC, CBI, Transport for C l a i r e Lohan , Leamington Spa production line to assemble the com- For more information about ERIC London, RAC Foundation, BT, and the Louise McDevitt , Belfast ponents of a household plug. see www.meirg.org.uk. British Chambers of Commerce. Adele Mariette , Bristol BT has been using smarter work- B e r ta Carola Perez Molina , DORRIE GILES , ing practices for over 10 years, with L o n d o n CEng, FIET, CPhys, productivity increases of 20 per cent Sally Shaw , Rutherg l e n MInstP, has become a trustee where they are introduced. N i s h a n t h y of Young Engineers. She For further information see T h e v a p i r a b a k a r a n , Southsea retired as director of qualifi- www.workwiseuk.org. Lesley W i n s b o r ro w , Bristol cations at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in April 2006. AIRBUS IS CHALLENGING stu- Student Members Dorrie is a former head of dents in UK schools to build a technology at the Hertford- model aircraft capable of transporting Simran Bains , Hounslow shire and Essex High School a hen’s egg as far as possible on a Lucy Y o u n g , Ye o v i l and senior scientist with playing field or other grass expanse, Philips Research Laborat- and landing it intact. The challenge, ories. called ‘Project Eggs Factor’, is part of She is a member of the Airbus’ involvement with Young Department of Trade and Engineers clubs. ERIC’s next stop was an event Industry’s independent implementa- Aircraft can be aeroplanes, gliders, organised by Rolls Royce in Derby tion group overseeing the gover n- rockets or hot air balloons. The egg where a series of master classes on ment strategy for must be clearly visible during its careers in engineering were held on- women in sci- flight, not wrapped up in a protective board for over 100 pupils from 11 ence, engineer- material. Radio controlled and igni- local schools, teaching them how to ing and tech- table fuel powered aircraft are not write effective CVs and develop their nology and is allowed. interview skills for when they join the a past chair Competitors must get flight dis- job market. of the DTI’s tances and safe landings verified by Finally, specialist engineering col- Electronics in an independent adjudicator, such as lege Eckington School, in Sheffield, Schools a teacher, and record their flights on played host to a speed networking Steering a camcorder or camera phone. Video event. This gave young people think- Group. clips of the best flights will be shown ing of entering engineering the She was on the Young Engineers website opportunity to have a one-on-one a www.youngeng.org. Successful with industry experts and discuss the founder flights will earn flight certificates. best way forward for them. In atten- member The national winner will receive the dance, and giving advice, were North of the Institute of Physics’ ‘Women in unique Airbus Trophy. The challenge East Derbyshire MP, Natascha Engel Physics’ committee and was the IET began on 1 January 2007 and will (on right in photo above) and Ruth advisor to WES until her retirement. finish at the end of July 2007. The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007 3

President’s message Continued from page 1

So to be a How does yours measure up? part of the ver the last several months Dawn Fitt has been asking engineering Young professional societies how many of their members are women. To Woman Odate she has obtained the figures shown in the chart below. Engineer of the Year Award today Institution Total number Percent is a continuing tribute to of members women members one of our founding mem- bers. You can see more Institution of Lighting Engineers 2,200 45 about the finalists on British Computer Society 50,000 18 pages 7-8. Institute of Chemical Engineers 26,000 18 Lesley Davis and I (photo Dawn and Lesley join the First Chartered Institute of Water and 12,000 17 opposite – enjoying our- Lego League Environmental Management selves) participated in the Institution of Water Officers 1,700 12 National Final of the First Institute of Materials, Minerals 20,000 12 Lego League. We were IET joins forces and Mining part of the judging teams with F1 in Schools Institute of Acoustics 2,700 9 and wow, it was a won- Institution of Civil Engineers 77,350 7 derful experience. THE IET IS SUPPORTING F1 in Schools Energy Institute 12,000 7 First Lego League is an Ltd, a company which promotes engi- Institute of Engineering Designers 3,600 6 international programme neering to young people around the Institution of Mechanical Engineers 75,000 5 for children aged between world through the appeal of Formula Institution of Engineering and 150,000 5 9 and 16 years that com- One motor racing. Technology bines a hands-on, inter- F1 in Schools now operates in 22 Institution of Railway Signal 4,000 4 active robotics program countries. Teams of students, aged Engineers with a sports-like atmos- 11-18, use CAD/CAM software to Chartered Institution of Building 17,000 4 phere using the LEGO design, analyse, manufacture and test Services Engineers MINDSTORMS Robotics miniature CO2-powered balsa wood Royal Institution of Naval Architects 8,000 4 Invention System. Teams F1 cars. Whilst doing this the teams Welding Institute 3,500 3 consist of up to 10 players learn about physics, aerodynamics, Institution of Gas Engineers and 3,900 3 with the focus on team design, manufacture, branding, Managers building, problem solving, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, Institute of the Motor Industry 25,000 2 creativity, and analytical leadership/teamwork, media skills and Institute of Marine Engineering, 16,000 2 thinking. financial strategy and apply them in a Science and Technology Teams face an annual practical, imaginative, competitive Royal Academy of Engineering 1,350 2 challenge (this year it was and exciting way. Institution of Engineering Designers 3,650 2 nanotechnology) emulating The finals take place in March. Institute of Plumbing and Heating 12,000 1 a real world event or situa- The IET will be sponsoring the 14- Engineering tion and must research, 16 D-Type award in the UK, both Society of Operations Engineers 18,000 <1 plan, build, program and regionally and nationally. test a fully autonomous The IET is also supplying a home to I am organising a group of WES members to follow up on Dawn’s find- robot capable of accom- the F1 in Schools team at its Savoy ings, and see what we can learn about why women are so well-represent- plishing the challenge. The Place headquarters in London. ed in some of these groups and not others. teams have only eight If you are a member of any of these institutions, or another engineering weeks to complete their professional society, and are willing to discuss the issue of women’s mem- robots before participating bership and representation with its membership director, please let me in a local regional competi- Lady Finniston Awar d know. tion. The 2006 WES Lady Finniston Carolyn Dougherty , [email protected] Finally, I would like to Awar d has been made to congratulate Council mem- Simran Bains . ber Alex Walker and her Simran is studying for an Good prospects for graduate engineers husband for the safe arrival MEng in civil engineering at of their second son, Imperial College London. THOSE GRADUATING with degrees in £17,715. Benedict, a brother for WES would like to thank Arup civil engineering in 2005 have the These are amongst the findings of Christian. I would also like Group for sponsoring the award highest employment rate of all engi- the 2007 report of the Higher to congratulate Jacqui this year, the IET for support and neering graduates, at 73.4%, com- Education Careers Services Unit Brookes on her OBE and administration, and the volun- pared to the employment rate of (HECSU) What Do Graduates Do? our Honorary Treasurer, teers who took part in the selec- 62.9% for all graduates. Civil engineering, and architecture Betty McCarthy, on becom- tion process. Also graduates from civil engineer- and building graduates have the low- ing a Fellow of the British If any members would like to ing, mechanical engineering, and est levels of unemployment overall, Computer Society (BCS), help in next year’s selection electronic engineering can expect with 3.3 and 3.9% of graduates see page 11. process, please let the WES above average starting salaries unemployed six months after obtain- office know. (£20,325, £20,513 and £19,231 ing their degree. respectively) compared to the average The full report is available at for all first degree graduates of www.prospects.ac.uk/links/wdgd. 4 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007

Pensions for Women Anna Sofat, director, AJS Wealth Management Limited, explains why it’s never too early to start planning for your retirement

✦ Depen- Occupational pension s is best to get independent financial ding on how advice on your scheme funding and many qualify- There are two types of occupational your own position. ing years you schemes – a final salary or a money have you’ll get purchase scheme. Money Purchase a basic State In a money purchase scheme your Pension Final Salary income in retirement is based on between the In a final salary scheme your pen- the amount that has accumulated weekly mini- sion will depend on the level of in your pension fund. It is largely mum (£21.06) your salary just before retirement dependent on the level of contribu- and maximum and how many years you have tions, the investment performance, Anna Sofat presented a work - (£84.25) – these are for 2006-2007. worked for the company. A typical the changes of the scheme and the shop on finance for women at If you don’t have enough qualifying scheme requires you to have 40 rates for converting a pension fund the 2004 WES conference. She years, you’ll receive a smaller basic years’ service to obtain the maxi- to an income on retirement. can be contacted via her website State Pension, or you may not mum pension, which will be based There is no cap on the amount of www.ajswealth.com. receive any at all. on two-thirds of your final salary. pension you can now receive, how- ✦ If you don’t work or if you This type of scheme also ensures ever there is a cap on the amount ension planning can be com- earn less than the annual National you know the likely pension you you can accumulate in your pension plex. Each person’s circum- Insurance lower earnings limit will receive at retirement. And it pot. In general, you can now con- Pstances are different. The jar- (£4,368 in 2006-2007), you can still may provide additional benefits tribute up to a maximum of 100% gon is difficult to understand and build up an entitlement if you: such as an increasing pension, of salary per annum (up to there are a perplexing number of ● look after a child aged six or dependant’s benefits and life cover. £215,000 per annum) into your pensions from which to choose. less, and you are the person who If you are not entitled to the pension and accumulate a pension In addition, pensions have been claims and gets Child Benefit maximum pension, you should con- pot of £1.5m across all your the subject of some scandals ● or you take care of someone sider making additional pension schemes. However, many schemes recently, which haven’t exactly who is ill or disabled, and you quali- contributions. For instance, if you will still only allow you to contribute inspired confidence or encouraged fy for Home Responsibilities people to consider planning for Protection. retirement. Whilst these factors may You can complete a BR19 form Women’s State Pension age will gradually increase to 65 be off-putting, it is essential to start to get an up-to-date projection for between 2010 and 2020. making your pension provision as what pension you might receive This means that the age when you can claim your State Pension early as possible. from the state. This can be depends upon when you were born: Here are some of the things you obtained from the Department of ✦ if you were born on or before 5 April 1950, you can get your will need to consider. Work and Pensions. State Pension at 60 ✦ if you were born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1955, you Types of pension .State Second Pension (S2P) can get your State Pension when you are between 60 and 65 ✦ There are three main types of pen- S2P replaced SERPS in 2002 – ✦ if you were born on or after 6 April 1955, you can get your sion: state, occupational and per- the maximum amount payable State Pension at 65 sonal. depends on your NICs history and when you retire. The maximum The State Pension were a member of such a scheme a maximum of 15% of your salary. additional pension for 2006-7 is for only 20 working years and your In general, few women retire on This comprises two parts: a basic £50.50 pw. To qualify for the maxi- final salary was £36,000, you could an adequate, let alone maximum state pension, which everyone is mum pension from SERPS, a expect to retire on a pension of pension, so you may wish to sup- entitled to receive, and for those woman must have worked for 40 only £12,000. Most schemes pro- plement your company scheme by people who are employed, the years and paid NICs throughout her vide the option of buying added paying additional voluntary contri- State Second Pension (S2P). career. years or contributing to an addi- butions (AVCs) into your employer’s ✦ Basic State Pension The government does offer tional voluntary scheme (AVC). scheme, or making contributions ✦ To qualify for the basic State individuals the opportunity to ‘con- There has been a lot of concern into a personal pension with an Pension you need to build up tract out’ of S2P by electing for about the stability of some occup- external pension provider. In some enough ‘qualifying years’ before their employer’s and their own NICs ational pension scheme and the instances, you may be able to buy you reach State Pension age. A to fund a personal pension instead. funding deficit. Going forward, the ‘added years’ in your employer ’s qualifying year is a tax year in The general consensus now is that government has introduced protec- pension scheme. which you have sufficient earnings contracting out is rarely beneficial tion for scheme members and a You can normally contribute up upon which you have paid, are for women of any age. If you are compensation scheme so this to 15% of your total salary (includ- treated as having paid or have been thinking about contracting out, it is should not be too much of an ing your taxable benefits) into AVCs credited with, National Insurance important to take professional issue. or to buy added years though you contributions (NICs). advice before making a decision. For existing scheme members, it can contribute much more into a The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007 9

arly workplace experiences Achieving a reputation: women to ensure it is suitable for its target prepare students for the workplace. seem to be discouraging some sought to overcome discrimination audience. The report also recommends that Efemale engineering students or negative attitudes by demon- Among the report’s recommen- teaching and learning methods from following engineering careers, strating that they were good, capa- dations, careers advice throughout should be modified in order to according to recent research under- ble engineers, and believed that higher education and mentoring attract more students and to main - taken by Professor Barbara consequently their gender would be schemes are seen as particularly tain and stimulate the interest of Bagilhole and her team at the insignificant; important. current students, by introducing University of Glamorgan, funded by Advantages over disadvantages: Prior to industrial placements, more practical, project based work, the Economic and Social Research women suggested that the advan- gender-oriented preparation and team work and optional modules. Council. tages of working in engineering support mechanisms should be To attract more women to take Prof Bagilhole’s research briefing, outweighed the disadvantages of available for students embarking on up and remain in engineering available on the UKRC website (set- being a female in a male-dominat- these. Also pro-active relationships careers, companies should intro- womenresource.org.uk), makes ed environment; are needed between engineering duce greater transparency to their depressing reading. Despite the Adopting an ‘anti-woman’ employers and higher education recruitment criteria by stating spe - increase in women engineering stu- approach: women engineering stu- institutions in order to develop cific criteria that are essential to dents – up from only 3% in 1973 dents were found to value their sta - appropriate teaching practices that carry out the job – and should show developing career paths for individuals. In addition, engineering Why don’t female engineering companies should facilitate net- working to allow women engineers to meet others who may have students become engineers? shared their experiences. to 15% in tus as ‘a novelty’ 2004/05 – in engineering, there has not were critical of Engineering industry is losing out been an women engineers equivalent who used ‘femi- WES MEMBER Haifa Takruri-Rizk Ten main actions are recom- increase in nine tactics’, and and her research team at the mended: women engi- held traditionally University of Salford have found 1 Alter the image of the engi- neers. To stereotypical views that in North West England, neering profession gain an of women outside three-quarters of women gradu- 2 Encourage early exposure to understand- engineering. Prof ating with a science, engineering engineering concepts ing of what Bagilhole pointed or technology degree are not 3 Improve HR policies might be out that these atti- entering the related industries 4 Monitor implementation of causing this, tudes seem unlike- and of those that do, a high per- HR policies and act women stu- ly to promote the centage leave. on results dents’ earliest encounters with the interests of women engineers. The Salford team has been 5 Implement returners’ workplace, in the form of year-long Although women engineering working for the last 18 months schemes industrial placements, were exam- students valued their degrees, many on a European Social Fund (ESF) 6 Flexible organisational cul- ined. saw it as opening up a variety of funded project entitled ‘Women tures Fitting in career paths. The women surveyed in North West Engineering’ 7 Affiliations with external valued the practical and generic (WEWIN), that has surveyed local suppliers and business cus- Professor Bagilhole said: skills that they had gained, in areas firms and practising engineers to tomers via equality based pro- “Overwhelmingly, women found such as report writing and presen- assess current working practices. curement policies that, both in the engineering class- tation skills, and perceived these as A major finding is that the 8 Encourage networks and room and workplace, their gender being highly transferable to the engineering profession clearly mentoring (formal and infor- was, unwittingly, likely to ensure workplace. suffers from a number of mis- mal) that they received more help than There was a perception amongst conceptions. In order to improve 9 Training and development their male counterparts. On the those surveyed that they might be its appeal, engineering needs to for all employees regardless of negative side, this indicates that more employable as a result of their update its present rather old- sex or position women are widely viewed in engi - gender since companies were trying fashioned image. 10 Equal pay reviews neering as less capable.” to recruit more women into techni- Also the study discovered that Commenting on these find- Women engineering students cal and professional jobs. But this the under-representation of ings Haifa said: “Industry needs were found to adopt a number of tended to make them question women is a more complex issue to wake up to the potential that strategies for coping as industrial their abilities – “Am I being than the traditional view of glass women can offer and take posi- placement students. The most sig- employed because I’m a woman or ceilings, pay gaps, and discrimi- tive action to change their atti- nificant were identified as the 5 As: because they think I’ll be good at nation would suggest. The prob- tudes and embrace a more inclu- Acting like one of the boys: the job?” lems are widespread and differ sive working culture that women attempted to fit in with Change from sector to sector. One of the enhances the participation of male colleagues by showing that most important points to note is women. We are not looking to they did not require special treat- Recommendations for change that there is not just one organi- give women special treatment ment and by sharing their cama- states that ‘one size does not fit sational culture at work, there but we want industry to take raderie; all’. are many. These organisational positive action to realise the Accepting gender discrimination: Different types of students at dif- cultures actively work against clear business benefits of a more women were reluctant to admit ferent institutions have different women and may seek to exclude diverse workforce.” they had been discriminated needs and priorities, so policy them from the technical work- For more details see against; development needs to be adapted force. www.cse.salford.ac.uk/wewin. 8 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007

8

ensure that the message of sustain- Securing on-line ability and energy and water con- communications servation is heard and I try to put Charlotte scoops two awards that message into action through MAIRE MCLOONE , a lecturer and my work.” Royal Academy of Engineering The Dyson Young Woman training rig for testing software To aid this aim, Katy created a Research Fellow, is the winner of Engineering Apprentice Award, a and hardware and for being part renewable energy tool kit for archi- the Women’s Engineering Society new award focusing on the of a focus group that looks at tects, engineers and developers as prize. Maire leads a research team achievements of women on an ways of getting more women into her MSc dissertation. It is a CD looking at the security in modern apprenticeship scheme, was won the profession. based toolkit which includes design communications applications such by CHARLOTTE DEAN . Upon receiving the award guidance, renewable energy tech- as email, online shopping and In the same week that Charlotte said: “It’s been a whirl- nology site suitability and whole life banking in the Electronics, Charlotte received this award, she wind week and I was honoured costing tools together with fact- Communications and Information won another award for an inven- to be recognised in this way. It’s sheets, checklists and case studies. Technology Research Institute at tion designed as important to me that other It has been nominated for the Best Queens University Belfast. part of her young women can see what Environmental Initiative of the Year Maire was exposed to engineer- apprenticeship at a rewarding career engi- 2006 at the NICEIC Electrical ing early in life. “My father decided the UPM Shotton neering can be and a Industry Awards. to build a hydro-electric scheme on paper mill. great way into the indus- The other big event for Katy last the river running by our house. The Young try is with an apprentice- year was her wedding in December. Then in secondary school, I enjoyed Woman Engineering ship. “We’re going on honeymoon to mathematics, physics and techno- Apprentice of the Year “I’ve really enjoyed New Zealand in April and I can’t logy, and with two older brothers in aims to reward an working at UPM wait!” she said. engineering, I decided that it was apprentice who has Shotton and was In addition to giving talks about also the career for me,” said Maire. exceeded the delighted when they engineering at schools and colleges, “I studied for my degree in elec- realms of her offered me the job of Katy is involved with young people trical and electronic engineering at normal duties automation technician as a scout leader. “Since I was 18, I Queen’s University Belfast. In the and shown a following my work have worked in a variety of roles final year I was sponsored by a dynamic placement. from Assistant Cub Scout Leader to local company to carry out a approach to “I’d like to thank my col- District Explorer Commissioner research project in the area of data the solution of engineering prob- leagues at the mill for their sup- within the Scout Association. I am security. I thoroughly enjoyed being lems. port and encouragement during currently working as a scout leader able to research new ideas and During her apprenticeship my apprenticeship and I look for- providing adventure and activities designs using cutting-edge tech- Charlotte was responsible for ward to the challenges that lie for young people aged 10 to 14 nologies and as a result, I decided designing and implementing a ahead during my career here.” within my local to study area. It’s the scout- for a PhD ing centenary this in data Upon receiving her prize, Maire rewarding and well-paid career year so there are encryption said: “I was very honoured to be choice.” lots of activities architec- awarded the 2006 Women’s Maire practises this philosophy. planned.” tures. In Engineering Society prize at the IET “I have been actively involved in She also loves 2003, I Young Woman Engineer of the Year a number of schemes for female cooking. was event. I thoroughly enjoy working secondary school students for many “When I get the awarded a in the field of electronic engineer- years, including: chance we often five-year ing and I would strongly encourage ✦ Working with students at an have friends and family round for Royal Academy of Engineering other females to consider engineer- all-girls comprehensive school in meals. Then in a quiet moment research fellowship which has ing as a career choice. Belfast in the Pupil Research you’ll probably find me curled up allowed me to further develop my “There is a vast range of oppor- Initiative (PRI) scheme. with a book or trying to get to research career, and in 2004, I was tunities available to women in the ✦ Acting as a role model in a grips with my knitting – my current appointed as a lecturer in the Comms/IT industry. Considering WISE promotional video aimed at challenge!” System-on-Chip group at Queen’s.“ that the consumer electronic mar- female secondary school students in ket targets both men and women, Northern Ireland. it makes sense that there should be ✦ Presenting at the Sentinus SUZANNE STAMFORD , an variety of areas including being more women in the development GETSET Insight into Engineering Electronics Platoon Commander responsible for maintenance of a and design stages. Women bring a Programme which aims to promote within the third Battalion of the fleet of robotic ‘wheelbarrows’ different, but equally important, set engineering as a career to female Royal Electrical and Mechanical that are used to detonate or of qualities to the workplace to students. Engineers (REME), won the Mary inspect explosive devices. men, and it is the combination of ✦ Presenting an interactive lec- George Memorial Prize. This prize Suzanne is also currently inte- these two sets of skills that com- ture on ‘Cyber security – Data is given to a young woman who grating a digital communications panies wish to exploit. Encryption Technology’ to over 600 shows great promise in the pro- support solution for a fledgling “To encourage more women into secondary level students at the fession but with insufficient expe- digital combat communication engineering, I believe that those 2006 Belfast Telegraph Lectures for rience to be eligible for the network. She is responsible for women already in engineering Schools.” Young Woman Engineer award. the training, preparation and careers need to be more visible. By In her free time Maire enjoys jog- Currently Suzanne provides deployment of 35 members of doing this, we can begin to chal- ging, yoga, skiing and seeing the electronic support to 20 the Platoon and ensures that suf- lenge young people’s perspective world. “Both my husband and I Armoured Brigade within Iraq. As ficient technicians possess the rel- that engineering isn’t just for men. love to travel – to date we’ve trav- the Platoon leader Suzanne evant trade skills to repair equip- We need to get across to young elled to six continents, with only makes engineering decisions in a ment. girls that engineering is an exciting, Antarctica left to visit.” The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007 5

Pension planning tips personal pension arrangement (up a maximum of £215,000 each year) reviewed regularly to ensure your to 100% of your salary to a maxi- and there is an overall cap on the The state retirement age is now 65 investment fund is performing well. mum of £215,000 including any amount you can accumulate in your for women and to qualify for the Even if you are not earning, you contribution to your employer pension pot (£1.5m). maximum state pension, you will can pay £3600 gross (or £2808 net) scheme). The 15% ceiling will usu- It is never too soon to start pay- need to make national insurance per annum into a personal pension. ally include contributions you may ing into a pension because you get contributions for 40 years. There is If you have frozen pension from already be making into your com - far better value from the contribu- talk of the retirement age increas- previous employers or a personal pany scheme. Each method of ‘top- tions you make while you are ing to 67 in the not too distant pension, you should receive annual ping up’ has advantages and disad- younger, as your investment will future. Thus for most of us, this is statements to give you an idea of vantages, so you should seek inde- have more time to grow. For not going to be sufficient for our what you might receive at retire- pendent advice before making your instance, if you pay regular contri- needs in retirement and you should ment. If you have lost touch, you decision. butions into a PPP throughout your make additional provision. can trace a pension through the It is particularly important to con- 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, the money If you are employed and you are Pension Tracing Service. You can sider making additional contribu- you paid in your 20s will account eligible to join a final salary scheme, call them 0845 6002 537. tions if you have had a career break for at least 50% of the pension you then it is highly likely to be your Finally, the earlier you start con- or have changed jobs frequently. receive at retirement! best option. If you are eligible to tributing to a pension, the less you Most personal pensions are very join a Money Purchase or Group will need to pay into the plan – as a Personal pension plan flexible and cost effective these Personal Pension scheme where rough rule of thumb for every 10 If you are self-employed or your days – you can make monthly or your employer is making a contri- year delay, you will need to double company does not provide a pen- lump sum contributions, you can bution, then it is still likely to be your contribution rate. So be good sion scheme, you will need to think stop and restart payment (without your best option. to yourself and start a pension as about providing your own pension any penalties) and you can invest in If your employer does not con- early in your 20s as possible. by paying into a personal pension a large number of funds. If you are tribute to a pension scheme, then The Woman Engineer would plan (PPP). There is no limit on the employed, but not a member of an consider setting up a Personal like to hear about members’ benefits payable in retirement but occupational scheme, your emp- Pension – these are very flexible own experiences of how they there is a limit on the amount you loyer can also make payments into and cost effective. However, like have managed their pensions can pay in (100% of your salary to your PPP for you. any investment these should be planning. Daphne Jackson lectur e Dynamic Plastic: Are we at the dawn of a new printable electronics revolution? presented by Cathy Curling

xciting developments using company is a University of the conductive and light- Cambridge spin-out developing Eemitting properties of poly- novel solution-based manufactur- mers are set to lead a revolution in ing processes for revolutionary communications. light-weight and robust paper-like Rigid and brittle silicon-based display products. materials at present dominate the A flexible backplane contains become a thing of the past as we The plastic e-book microelectronics industry. Over the layers of circuitry printed on plastic all carry a flexible A4 size screen past ten years, increasing advances substrates. An electrophoretic that can be unrolled to read the The University of Cambridge have been made in electronic media is placed over this – a thin hundreds of books stored – or will was particularly successful, Cathy applications of plastic materials plastic film with charged capsules give access to newspaper websites explained, at taking creative within flexible displays and sen- of black and white that move via a mobile phone. ground breaking technologies sors, smart tags and thin-film bat- around to create the display. A Needless to say this technology developed within the university teries giving designers scope to touch sensor can be placed under has attracted much interest and and developing clusters of collabo- develop a wealth of futuristic the backplane. The processing business partners have emerged rative academia and small business product concepts. Most important- technology is much cheaper than who are investing in the develop- players, together with internation- ly, plastic electronic materials per- that required to produce silicon ment of commercial applications. al venture capitalist investors, to mit comparatively simple and, chip devices. In January it was announced that take these forward. Plastic Logic therefore, more cost-effective Cathy painted a vision of the Plastic Logic has attracted $100m was now at the forefront of ‘plas- manufacture due to their lower future in which electronic displays (£50.6m) to fund a plant in tic fantastic’ dynamic products temperature plastic substrate com- could become part of the furnish- Dresden, Germany. This should be likely to dominate the strategic patibility and solution-based pat- ings in a room and we could operational by the end of 2008. direction of innovative electronics terning techniques similar to print- access the internet via a plastic The initial products from the fac- into the 21st century. ing on paper. panel on our sleeve or handbag. tory will be about A4 size, using a Cathy is currently an independ - Cathy Curling explained how Flexible displays could be particu- polyethylene terephthalate sub- ent technical consultant covering a she became involved with polymer larly useful in supermarkets where strate – a plastic used for drinks portfolio of advisory roles, includ - electronics whilst researching and they could be updated remotely. bottles. It is anticipated that the ing strategy and technical direction delivering on high-tech pro- Intelligent toys could be pro- sheets produced could be cheap for new business opportunities, gramme for Philips Research UK. grammed by children or could tell enough to do jobs for which cur- government funded programmes In 2004 she joined Plastic Logic children how to use them. Printed rent silicon devices are too expen- and lecturing to a variety of audi - in a senior management role. This books and newspapers could sive. ences. 6 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007

Transport planner who pioneered congestion charging

his year’s Karen Burt Award win- of Bromley as a transport planner/ cal aspects of design, traffic model- ner, Louise McDevitt , is project traffic engineer, then joined Transport ling and economic and transport Tmanager for Atkins Transport for London where she was a member appraisals through to more personal Planning and is based in Belfast. of the core team that introduced the aspects such as public consultations Upon receiving her award Louise congestion charging scheme in cen- and seminars/ conferences. For exam- said: “I’m delighted to have won the tral London in February 2003. During ple, at the minute I’m involved in Karen Burt Award. Obtaining my this time she also studied part-time at projects associated with park-and- chartered status was something that I Imperial College /University College ride, rapid transit, local transport had been aiming at for quite a while London to obtain an MSc in studies and temporary traffic man- and the added bonus of winning this Transport. agement associated with building a award has made it all the more In 2004 she joined her present major sewer in Belfast. There is never meaningful to me. a dull moment!” “I never had the good Louise still finds time to fortune to know Karen but act as a mentor and to her work has clearly been promote career opportuni- an inspiration to female ties in engineering. engineers across all disci- “I’m currently the Atkins plines. We should continue training co-ordinator for to celebrate the fantastic the Belfast Transport examples of women suc- Planning office so I look ceeding in engineering and after the training needs of recognise the valuable con- the full team. However, a tribution that they make more important aspect of towards the progression of this role is that I’m a men- science, technology and tor for a number of the environmental evolution.” graduates who are work- Louise has always been ing under graduate train- inspired by those who have ing programmes to aim for overcome personal and pro- chartered status either fessional obstacles to excel. with the Institution of She greatly admired the late Highways and Marjorie “Mo” Mowlam, Transportation (IHT) (with the former Secretary of whom I’m a chartered State for Northern Ireland engineer) as well as the and WES patron, who Institution of Logistics and passed away in 2005. Transport and the Louise first started considering a company where she manages and co- Institution of Civil Engineers. career in engineering after a WISE ordinates transport planning projects. Louise is a member of the Northern event whilst she was in secondary “At the current time, I am respon- Ireland IHT committee and plays an school. sible for the day-to-day running for active role in their Young “I have quite an analytical and the projects in our Belfast office Professionals Panel which promotes practical personality so it was which are associated with our princi- the profession to school and univer- inevitable that I would end up as an pal public sector client in the region,” sity students and organises events for engineer, whether I wanted to or said Louise. “This involves co-ordinat- younger Institution members. not”, said Louise. “Through a WISE ing tasks amongst the various teams, “I’m currently involved in organis- event, I was given the opportunity to which are quite often distributed ing a full-day site visit to some of the workshadow different types of engi- across the UK in different Atkins high profile engineering projects cur- neers for a week when I was trying to offices, as well as liaising with the rently underway in Belfast,” said decide which GCSE subjects to client on project issues. The role can Louise. choose to study. quite often also extend to include “I believe that women are getting “It was the opportunity to visit a consultations with key stakeholders more involved in the engineering major civil engineering site (the build- and members of the public. field, compared to say ten years ago, ing of the Lagan Weir in Belfast) that “I’m also involved in business but I think more needs to be done to made the decision for me to study development – bidding for new work promote engineering as a viable civil engineering at university.” and developing relationships with career for a young professional – and She graduated from Queens potential new clients – in order to this includes issues such as salary and University, Belfast in 1996 with a help develop the business in Northern status. Quite often engineers are BEng (Hons) in civil engineering and Ireland.” portrayed as part of the trade indus- joined the Department for Regional Multi-tasking is a key requirement try and not as a professional industry Development (NI) Roads Service as a for her job, Louise has discovered. that requires skills and ability in paral- graduate civil engineer. She worked “I enjoy the diversity of transport lel with other professions, such as for a while for the London Borough planning as it includes all the techni- medicine, law and banking. I think a The Woman Engineer – Spring 2007 7

lot more could be done to promote engineering by careers teachers at school.” Her own industry needs to attract more transport planners and engi- neers as there is currently a nation- wide shortage. “Transport, and its impact on the environment, is something that is likely to remain high on the political agenda for some time to come. However, the transport industry does recognise that there is a nationwide shortage of suitable skilled personnel and is starting to put in place some tools to enable school leavers to enter the industry at a younger age, such as transport qualifications,” said Louise. Louise is a great believer in aim- ing for a good work-life balance. “Outside of work, I relax by hiking, swimming, going to the gym – although nowhere near as often as I should – and drinking red wine!” she said.

Young Woman Engineer of the Year prizewinners: from left to right Charlotte Dean, Katy Deacon, Maire McLoone, Suuzanne Stamford

ed to be an engineer. As a child her sons. Every job built on my experi- Young Woman Christmas presents were Lego ence. No experiences have been Technic sets, which she spent hours wasted.” Engineer of the Y ear “building, dismantling and building At Kirklees Council, Katy is again.” She took part in the responsible for the successful man- Engineering Education Scheme and agement and delivery of commis- Champion of renewable energy WISE events at school and then sioned project work and is particu- trained as an aeronautical engineer. larly involved in renewable energy KATY DEACON , an engineer in the “I think that the key to having “I found choosing my engineer- installations. Electrical Team at Kirklees more women engineers is to break ing discipline very difficult, opting “I find my work challenging, var- Metropolitan Council, is the winner down the barriers of communic- eventually for aeronautical engi- ied, rewarding and fun. Every day of the IET Young Woman Engineer ation and have more women engi- neering as it seemed very exciting. I requires a solution to be thought of the Year Award. neers in obvious public view. Once did not realise then how many through or a question to ask or Commenting on her other fields are answer. Producing a design solution award Katy said: “I believe available and how for a client, and managing it the winner of this award knowledge of one through to completion on site and should be an enthusiastic strand of engineer- handover, gives me a real sense of ambassador for engineering ing can provide a achievement. I enjoy using my skills, and I am honoured to have pathway into many experience and training to produce been given this title. It will other areas. an outcome that satisfies my client’s allow me to go out into the “I have worked as requirements.” public arena and speak an apprentice on Kirklees Council is one of the expressively, passionately the shop floor of an leading councils in the UK for and honestly about my aircraft hanger, in a renewable energy installations. engineering experiences. quality management “Our target in Kirklees is to I’m looking forward to act- and maintenance incorporate renewable energy ing as a positive role planning office, as a sources into the design of all new model, empowering young support technician developments procured by the people to aspire to be an engineer interest has been piqued and role for an electronics company and Council to achieve by 2010/11 a in whichever field suits them. models identified, it is important to now as an electrical system design- target of at least 30% of the esti- “I have learned through experi- let teenagers experience the excite- er and project manager in a local mated total energy consumption. ence that the path through an ment of engineering through the authority. Each aspect of my work This covers both new build and engineering career is not always many schemes which are currently has been enjoyable and very inter- large refurbishment projects and is smooth; however it is often exciting available.” esting. There is an endless amount no easy task!” said Katy and always interesting. Katy always knew that she want- to learn, every project has new les- “There is an urgent need to