CEOs aim for gender equality in science

CEOS of two major science, engineering and technology (SET) based companies have committed themselves and their senior managements to promoting and communicating the business case for gender equality.

Chief Executive Officers of two major science, engineering and technology (SET)-based companies have committed themselves and their senior managements to promoting and communicating the business case for gender equality by signing up to the UKRC CEO Charter for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

The charter has been launched by the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET (UKRC), with the endorsement of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Opportunity Now.

The first two companies to sign up to the Charter are: Atkins, consulting engineers (12,500 employees) and BT Openreach, BT's network access organisation (104,400 employees).

Referring to the need for change to be initiated from the top, UKRC Director, Annette Williams, said: "Scientists and engineers are pivotal in meeting the challenges ahead, not only those of climate change but also those of maintaining the UK's competitive position in a global economy.

The CBI said on 12th March that the output of British engineering and science graduates needs to double by 2014 or UK companies will have to recruit or even relocate overseas.

"Tackling the problem of climate change will require the application of the whole of the available skills base".

"Yet, just as the burning of fossil fuels has led to environmental unsustainability, the SET sectors as a whole continue to hang on to unsustainable working practices and cultures which persistently leads to the talents of women being wasted".

"70% of qualified women in the UK aren't working in their specialist fields, contributing directly to the UK's SET skills (and innovation) gap".

"The UK economy is estimated to be losing many millions because women with SET degrees don't enter or return to the SET sector or they work below the level for which they are qualified".

"Of those that do work in SET very few are found in leadership positions".

"It's a huge loss of investment and it's a huge loss for women".

The UKRC CEO Charter for Women in SET was launched by Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Malcolm Wicks MP, at the UKRC annual conference at the British Museum on 14th March.

The conference had the theme: Climate for Change: Women in Science, Engineering and Technology - Having an Environmental Impact.

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