Latest news with #WISE
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Help solve the problem of a female engineer shortage with an exciting new career
Engineering is no longer seen as men's work SUNEMPLOYMENT Help solve the problem of a female engineer shortage with an exciting new career Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT used to be considered a 'man's job', but women engineers are on the rise. Latest figures from EngineeringUK show females now occupy 16.9 per cent of roles, up from 15.7 per cent last year and a significant increase from ten per cent in 2010. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The sector offers job security, average salaries of over £60,000 and a chance to change the world. It's a growth area, too, as in the Government's new industrial strategy, five of the eight growth sectors are underpinned by engineering, from compound semiconductors to quantum computers. But as we approach International Women In Engineering Day on Monday, the UK still needs 124,000 new engineers and technicians a year to meet demand. Recruiting more women would help drive innovation, create more female-friendly products, close the skills gap and ensure the UK economy thrives. READ MORE ON EMPLOYMENT HELPING HAND Nurses and paramedics in top 3 most respected jobs in the UK, say Brits Dr Hilary Leevers, chief executive of non-profit organisation EngineeringUK, said: 'We urgently need more girls and women to pursue engineering careers. "There would be millions more women in engineering if they progressed at the same rates as men, which would resolve our workforce shortages.' EngineeringUK is working with over 40 organisations, including the Royal Academy of Engineering and Women Into Science And Engineering (WISE), to promote the career to girls in school. 'Engineering is about solving real problems and improving the lives of millions', says WISE managing director Dr Laura Norton. 'But how can we design solutions for everyone if only a narrow slice of society is doing the designing? We need more women in engineering for the good of all of us.' The types of engineering roles are diversifying. As well as traditional heavy engineering and civil construction jobs, there are digital, software, biomedical, aerospace and environmental engineering. Fires Up Its Engine and Afterburner During Test Series As one of the UK's top female engineers, Tara Bishop, head of planning and business development at British Airways Engineering, believes the sector is 'undergoing a cultural shift'. She explains: 'The traditional skills are still required, but we increasingly need digital skills in areas such as predictive maintenance, aircraft software and cyber-security, and aircraft analytics. 'Engineering requires critical-thinking skills and problem-solving ability, so we absolutely benefit from diverse perspectives.' For more information, see 'We're just as capable at maintaining aircraft' 3 Victoria's career has reached new heights at British Airways VIKTORIA WIGGINS is a tools and equipment manager for British Airways after joining the airline as a planning and supply chain graduate. The 23-year-old, from South West London, said: 'Firms should take on more female engineers because being an engineer is not a gendered role. 'Women are equally capable of working on aircraft or in the engineering operation. 'Being an engineer is being a problem solver, and women are very good at solving problems! 'The idea that engineering is a career for men needs to be challenged by all those who work in the sector, both men and women, as opposed to just being championed by women. 'Last year, I ran an outreach day, Engineering A Female Future, where 50 female university students from across the UK had the chance to visit our engineering base and hear from industry leaders. 'It was amazing to see so many keen female engineers and non-engineers thinking about pursuing a career in such an interesting industry.' Ways into the industry WANT to work in engineering? Follow Dr Hilary Leevers' tips . . . Look at the vast range of careers on offer and check out for different case studies and role models. Develop your skills and knowledge in STEM. Explore recommended podcasts, TV shows, days out, competitions, books and activities, then find opportunities to put these into practice. There are a number of different pathways including apprenticeships, university degrees, T-Levels and other vocational qualifications. Government, businesses and software companies also offer bootcamps or online courses. If you don't think you have the right qualifications, don't give up. Engineering teams often draw people from a range of backgrounds to solve interdisciplinary problems. Follow and engage with leading industry bodies including the Royal Academy of Engineering, professional engineering institutions, Women's Engineering Society, Women Into Science And Engineering and Equate Scotland. Want to get back into the sector after a career break? Then take returner schemes. The free Open University course Returning To STEM should help you work through your options, or visit How to keep cool in the office 3 Employment solicitor Laura Kearsley, from Nelsons TEMPERATURES hit 30C this week, but as there is no legal maximum for workplaces in the UK, what should bosses be doing to keep staff cool? Employment solicitor Laura Kearsley, from Nelsons, explains your weather rights. Can I leave my workplace if it becomes too hot? Not unless you feel unwell and you need to take sick leave. But employers have a legal obligation to provide a 'reasonable' working temperature in the office. Your employer has a duty to determine what 'reasonable' comfort will be in each particular circumstance. Are there any other regulations that protect workers during hot weather? The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to make a suitable assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees, which includes temperature. Does my boss have to legally provide air conditioning in the office? No, but when working temperatures are uncomfortable, employers should consider using fans or portable air conditioning and providing cool water. Is it acceptable for me to wear shorts and flip-flops in the office during warm weather? What will happen if I defy my employer? Your employer may change dress code requirements in warmer weather if this is appropriate. However, they are still entitled to insist on certain standards of appearance – particularly for customer-facing roles and for shoes and clothing to be sensible for health and safety reasons. The requirement for employers to treat employees with trust and confidence applies throughout the employment relationship. At times of uncomfortable working conditions, employers will need to be considerate to employees. After all, if staff are too hot, they won't be at their most productive. Role models vital A LACK of visible role models is hampering people with learning disabilities from finding jobs, a study from hotel chain Hilton suggests. Just 16 per cent of people with a learning disability in the workforce report having a role model with a similar disability. However, 74 per cent of people would be more confident applying for jobs if they saw similar people in customer-facing roles. Hilton senior vice president Stephen Cassidy said: 'Representation matters – seeing people like yourself succeed at work builds confidence and opens doors. 'Our team members with learning disabilities contribute across a wide range of roles, from front-of-house positions to behind-the-scenes work.' Duty calls on loo 3 Six in ten workers have answered work emails or taken a call while on the loo TENS of thousands of workers are facing burnout by failing to take a proper break. Two-thirds of staff say they have worked a seven to eight-hour shift without stopping, while six in ten have answered work emails or taken a call while on the loo. The study from HR software firm Personio found women were more likely than men to work through lunch, while millennials were most likely to work through an illness. Psychotherapist Zoe Aston said: 'The bathroom is one of the few remaining spaces we expect to be off-limits. When employees are responding to work in that space, it signals a culture where people don't feel psychologically safe to disconnect, even briefly.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Help solve the problem of a female engineer shortage with an exciting new career
IT used to be considered a 'man's job', but women engineers are on the rise. Latest figures from EngineeringUK show females now occupy 16.9 per cent of roles, up from 15.7 per cent last year and a significant increase from ten per cent in 2010. The sector offers job security, average salaries of over £60,000 and a chance to change the world. It's a growth area, too, as in the Government's new industrial strategy, five of the eight growth sectors are underpinned by engineering, from compound semiconductors to quantum computers. But as we approach International Women In Engineering Day on Monday, the UK still needs 124,000 new engineers and technicians a year to meet demand. Recruiting more women would help drive innovation, create more female-friendly products, close the skills gap and ensure the UK economy thrives. Dr Hilary Leevers, chief executive of non-profit organisation EngineeringUK, said: 'We urgently need more girls and women to pursue engineering careers. "There would be millions more women in engineering if they progressed at the same rates as men, which would resolve our workforce shortages.' EngineeringUK is working with over 40 organisations, including the Royal Academy of Engineering and Women Into Science And Engineering (WISE), to promote the career to girls in school. 'Engineering is about solving real problems and improving the lives of millions', says WISE managing director Dr Laura Norton. 'But how can we design solutions for everyone if only a narrow slice of society is doing the designing? We need more women in engineering for the good of all of us.' The types of engineering roles are diversifying. As well as traditional heavy engineering and civil construction jobs, there are digital, software, biomedical, aerospace and environmental engineering. Fires Up Its Engine and Afterburner During Test Series As one of the UK's top female engineers, Tara Bishop, head of planning and business development at British Airways Engineering, believes the sector is 'undergoing a cultural shift'. She explains: 'The traditional skills are still required, but we increasingly need digital skills in areas such as predictive maintenance, aircraft software and cyber-security, and aircraft analytics. 'Engineering requires critical-thinking skills and problem-solving ability, so we absolutely benefit from diverse perspectives.' For more information, see 'We're just as capable at maintaining aircraft' 3 VIKTORIA WIGGINS is a tools and equipment manager for British Airways after joining the airline as a planning and supply chain graduate. The 23-year-old, from South West London, said: 'Firms should take on more female engineers because being an engineer is not a gendered role. 'Women are equally capable of working on aircraft or in the engineering operation. 'Being an engineer is being a problem solver, and women are very good at solving problems! 'The idea that engineering is a career for men needs to be challenged by all those who work in the sector, both men and women, as opposed to just being championed by women. 'Last year, I ran an outreach day, Engineering A Female Future, where 50 female university students from across the UK had the chance to visit our engineering base and hear from industry leaders. 'It was amazing to see so many keen female engineers and non-engineers thinking about pursuing a career in such an interesting industry.' Ways into the industry WANT to work in engineering? Follow Dr Hilary Leevers' tips . . . Look at the vast range of careers on offer and check out for different case studies and role models. Develop your skills and knowledge in STEM. Explore recommended podcasts, TV shows, days out, competitions, books and activities, then find opportunities to put these into practice. There are a number of different pathways including apprenticeships, university degrees, T-Levels and other vocational qualifications. Government, businesses and software companies also offer bootcamps or online courses. If you don't think you have the right qualifications, don't give up. Engineering teams often draw people from a range of backgrounds to solve interdisciplinary problems. Follow and engage with leading industry bodies including the Royal Academy of Engineering, professional engineering institutions, Women's Engineering Society, Women Into Science And Engineering and Equate Scotland. Want to get back into the sector after a career break? Then take returner schemes. The free Open University course Returning To STEM should help you work through your options, or visit How to keep cool in the office 3 TEMPERATURES hit 30C this week, but as there is no legal maximum for workplaces in the UK, what should bosses be doing to keep staff cool? Employment solicitor Laura Kearsley, from Nelsons, explains your weather rights. Can I leave my workplace if it becomes too hot? Not unless you feel unwell and you need to take sick leave. But employers have a legal obligation to provide a 'reasonable' working temperature in the office. Your employer has a duty to determine what 'reasonable' comfort will be in each particular circumstance. Are there any other regulations that protect workers during hot weather? The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to make a suitable assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees, which includes temperature. Does my boss have to legally provide air conditioning in the office? No, but when working temperatures are uncomfortable, employers should consider using fans or portable air conditioning and providing cool water. Is it acceptable for me to wear shorts and flip-flops in the office during warm weather? What will happen if I defy my employer? Your employer may change dress code requirements in warmer weather if this is appropriate. However, they are still entitled to insist on certain standards of appearance – particularly for customer-facing roles and for shoes and clothing to be sensible for health and safety reasons. The requirement for employers to treat employees with trust and confidence applies throughout the employment relationship. At times of uncomfortable working conditions, employers will need to be considerate to employees. After all, if staff are too hot, they won't be at their most productive. Role models vital A LACK of visible role models is hampering people with learning disabilities from finding jobs, a study from hotel chain Hilton suggests. Just 16 per cent of people with a learning disability in the workforce report having a role model with a similar disability. However, 74 per cent of people would be more confident applying for jobs if they saw similar people in customer-facing roles. Hilton senior vice president Stephen Cassidy said: 'Representation matters – seeing people like yourself succeed at work builds confidence and opens doors. 'Our team members with learning disabilities contribute across a wide range of roles, from front-of-house positions to behind-the-scenes work.' Duty calls on loo 3 TENS of thousands of workers are facing burnout by failing to take a proper break. Two-thirds of staff say they have worked a seven to eight-hour shift without stopping, while six in ten have answered work emails or taken a call while on the loo. The study from HR software firm Personio found women were more likely than men to work through lunch, while millennials were most likely to work through an illness. Psychotherapist Zoe Aston said: 'The bathroom is one of the few remaining spaces we expect to be off-limits. When employees are responding to work in that space, it signals a culture where people don't feel psychologically safe to disconnect, even briefly.'
Qatar Tribune
10-06-2025
- Science
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar takes part in Chileforum to share views on educational innovation
Tribune News Network Doha In a bid to deepen international dialogue on the future of education, representatives from Qatar participated in a high-level forum on 'Reimagining Education: New Paths for Educational Innovation', hosted by Fundación Reimagina in Santiago, Chile. The event, held as part of the Qatar-Chile 2025 Year of Culture (YoC), brought together educators, policymakers, and innovators to explore new models for educational reform and cross-sector collaboration. 'Promoting collaboration between organisations, countries and sectors is a core value of Fundacion Reimagina. In order to fulfil our mission of ensuring education that responds to the challenges of 21st-century society, we require partnerships and exchanges that guarantee higher educational quality and the development of key skills, such as creativity, critical thinking and digital proficiency. This requires a profound and practical approach to innovation, which we aim to promote at this meeting with Years of Culture and WISE,' said Ana María Raad, founder of Reimagina and AprendoLAB. The forum featured contributions from Aurelio Amaral, director of programmes at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, and Hazem Idriss, deputy director of community development at Qatar Museums. Their presence underscored Qatar's growing role in fostering education and cultural diplomacy as tools for building bridges across continents. A recent example of this commitment is AprendoLab, a project by Fundación Reimagina that was named one of the six 2024–25 WISE Prize for Education Finalists. The finalists have been working over the past year to develop solutions for fundamental challenges in education systems, such as accelerating foundational literacies, improving the teaching and learning of Arabic, and addressing emerging challenges of artificial intelligence in education. AprendoLab, headquartered in Chile, supports stronger teacher-student engagement through digital resources designed to close educational and technological gaps. Currently being piloted in Chile, Mexico and Ecuador, the project focuses on enhancing both teacher capacity and student learning outcomes. 'Innovation in education requires a systems-thinking approach—one that values grassroots ideas and connects them with global frameworks,' said Amaral on the sidelines of the forum. 'Events like this are essential for bringing diverse voices together to co-create inclusive, resilient learning ecosystems.' Amaral also highlighted WISE's global role in advancing education through research, policy dialogue, and cross-sector partnerships. Since its founding in 2009 by, WISE has become a global platform for educational transformation. Idriss's participation in the forum coincided with a broader visit to Chile and Argentina, where he is conducting site assessments for Qatar Museums' international volunteer programme, an initiative that became an integral part of annual Years of Culture programming during the Qatar-Indonesia 2023. The programme pairs Qatari and Qatar-based students, artists, and staff with local communities in host countries to promote experiential learning and skill exchange.
Qatar Tribune
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar participates in 'Reimagining Education' forum in Chile
SANTIAGO: In a bid to deepen international dialogue on the future of education, the State of Qatar participated in 'Reimagining Education: New Paths for Educational Innovation,' a high-level forum hosted by Fundacion Reimagina in Santiago, Chile. The event, held as part of the Qatar-Chile 2025 Year of Culture, brought together educators, policymakers, and innovators to explore new models for educational reform and cross-sector collaboration. The forum featured contributions from Aurelio Amaral, Director of Programs at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, and Hazem Idriss, Deputy Director of Community Development at Qatar Museums. Their presence underscored Qatar's growing role in fostering education and cultural diplomacy as tools for building bridges across continents. "Innovation in education requires a systems-thinking approach—one that values grassroots ideas and connects them with global frameworks,' said Amaral on the sidelines of the forum. "Events like this are essential for bringing diverse voices together to co-create inclusive, resilient learning ecosystems." Amaral also highlighted WISE's global role in advancing education through research, policy dialogue, and cross-sector partnerships. Since its founding in 2009 by, WISE has become a global platform for educational transformation. For Idriss, the value of education extended beyond the classroom. He shared lessons from Qatar's international volunteer initiatives, which pair service-based learning with cultural exchange. Idriss's participation in the forum coincided with a broader visit to Chile and Argentina, where he is conducting site assessments for Qatar Museums' international volunteer program, an initiative that became an integral part of annual Years of Culture programming during the Qatar-Indonesia 2023. "Promoting collaboration between organisations, countries and sectors is a core value of Fundacion Reimagina. In order to fulfil our mission of ensuring education that responds to the challenges of 21st-century society, we require partnerships and exchanges that guarantee higher educational quality and the development of key skills, such as creativity, critical thinking and digital proficiency. This requires a profound and practical approach to innovation, which we aim to promote at this meeting with Years of Culture and WISE," said Ana María Raad, Founder of Reimagina and AprendoLAB. A recent example of this commitment is AprendoLab, a project by Fundacion Reimagina that was named one of the six 2024–25 WISE Prize for Education Finalists. The finalists have been working over the past year to develop solutions for fundamental challenges in education systems, such as accelerating foundational literacies, improving the teaching and learning of Arabic, and addressing emerging challenges of artificial intelligence in education. Organizers hope that by linking local innovation in Chile with international examples, the forum can spur new partnerships and create momentum for scaling high-impact educational strategies, a powerful legacy of the Qatar-Chile 2025 Year of Culture.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Women entrepreneurs urged to harness tech and innovation to thrive in digital economy
KANGAR: Women entrepreneurs must seize the opportunities offered by technology and research to thrive in an increasingly digital and competitive economy, according to Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA). MARA director-general Datuk Zulfikri Osman said the agency stood ready to support women in tapping new markets, developing innovative products and building globally competitive brands. 'Do not be afraid to change, innovate and explore new fields. The future of women entrepreneurs is not only bright but holds the potential to make history,' he said. His speech was delivered by MARA deputy director-general for management services Rohayah Mohd Zain at the closing ceremony of the 'Women in Search of Excellence' (WISE) 2025 programme held here today. The event was officiated by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail. Also present was the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil. Zulfikri also noted a 19.4 per cent increase in the number of entrepreneurs in Perlis over the past year, from 3,222 in 2023 to 3,848 in 2024, highlighting a rising interest in entrepreneurship within the state. 'Even more encouraging, total sales revenue rose by 25 per cent over the same period, from RM273.6 million in 2023 to RM342 million this year,' he said. The WISE programme, a collaboration between MARA and the Tuanku Fauziah Foundation (YTF), aims to empower women entrepreneurs and contribute to the broader economic development agenda.
