ENGINEERING firms will be working with schools and colleges next month to encourage more young women to consider careers in the sector.

National Women in Engineering Day, which takes place on June 23, aims to both raise the profile and celebrate the achievements of women in engineering as well as encouraging more girls to think about entering the profession.

A number of Darlington schools are taking part, as well as Darlington College supported by Foundation for Jobs, and firms including Amec, Modus Subsea and Cummins.

The day is being organised by The Women’s Engineering Society, which is celebrating its 95th anniversary.

A spokesperson for the society said: “It has been recognised that a skills gap in engineering is looming, and one way of addressing this is to get more girls to consider engineering as a realistic career option for them.

“This will have the dual benefit of creating more diversity in the engineering sector, where fewer than ten per cent of the workforce is women, and creating a bigger talent pool of future engineers from which to recruit.”

Amongst the schools taking part are Springfield Academy, Haughton Academy and Beaumont Hill School, which are all based at Darlington’s Education Village.

The three schools will work alongside Cummins and a senior female engineer on a renewable energy project.

One reason for the impending engineering skills gap is the perception problem the industry faces amongst young people, with many young women believing it to be a male orientated industry.

A key aim of Foundation for Jobs, the national award winning initiative to tackle youth unemployment, is to address young people’s perceptions of industries and sectors which are struggling to recruit talent in this region but which are set to create thousands of jobs in the North East.

Part of the work of Foundation for Jobs, a partnership between Darlington Borough Council, The Northern Echo and the Darlington Partnership of public and private sector organisations, is linking young people with industry while they are still at school.

Research has shown that engaging children in work related activities while still in education can lead to them being up to five times less likely to be unemployed at the age of 25.

For more details contact Foundation for Jobs co-ordinator Owen McAteer on 01325 388367 or go to www.foundationforjobs.co.uk