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Deadline looms for female engineering apprentices

An Institution of Engineering and Technology product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 14, 2006

The winner of the Dyson Young Woman Engineering Apprentice award will receive a cheque for GBP 750, donated by the James Dyson Foundation.

The deadline to submit entries to the Dyson Young Woman Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award is fast approaching.

Newly developed for 2006, the award is the only honour of its kind that aims to highlight the value of apprenticeships to young women and the highly skilled and innovative individuals that they produce.

Both the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Dyson are urging women to embrace this new opportunity to seek recognition for their skills and achievements and raise awareness of this increasingly popular and rewarding career route.

With the closing date of 15th September, time is running out for those keen to apply.

The judges will be looking for candidates that can demonstrate a contribution in the workplace beyond the demands of their normal duties and dynamism in their approach to the solution of engineering problems.

The winner will also have to demonstrate her ability to act as an enthusiastic role model to encourage other young women to enter the profession of engineering through the apprenticeship route.

The Dyson Young Woman Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award will form part of the IET's Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award to recognise and promote women within engineering, celebrating the female role models within the profession and demonstrating that engineering is a great career choice for women.

James Dyson, President of the James Dyson Foundation said: "We would encourage female apprentices to apply for this unique award, not only to shout about their achievements, but also to become a role model and ambassador for those on apprenticeship schemes".

"We strongly believe that women have a valuable role to play within engineering, design and technology".

"Embarking on an apprenticeship is a good route into engineering: it's very much about being involved and hands on from day one".

"Too much importance is placed on going to university".

"We are encouraged to become middle-class professionals and to avoid industry and manufacturing; however, many overlook the rewarding opportunities that industry can offer young people, particularly women who are not traditionally encouraged to enter these fields".

Alf Roberts, Chief Executive of the IET said: "The institution is pleased to be offering a unique award that will not only recognise achievements of female engineering apprentices for the first time but will also provide the winner with great career advancement and networking opportunities".

"The IET is committed to raising awareness of the value of engineering apprenticeships, particularly as the engineering sector is currently facing skills shortages".

"We hope that the Dyson Young Woman Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award will help to raise awareness of apprenticeship schemes and will encourage more women to consider a career within engineering".

The winner of the Dyson Young Woman Engineering Apprentice award will receive a cheque for GBP 750, donated by the James Dyson Foundation and an inscribed certificate that will be presented at the Young Woman Engineer of the Year awards ceremony in London on 25th January 2007.