Girls showing greater interest in engineering20 February 2014

Campaigns to boost girls' enthusiasm for science and engineering are beginning to bear fruit, according to data compiled from a survey of 20,000 sixth formers.

Statistics from careers guidance service Cambridge Occupational Analysts (COA) reveal the proportion of girls expressing an interest in university courses in engineering, combined sciences, chemistry and biochemistry has shown a bigger increase over the last seven years than their male counterparts.

General engineering was considered as a possible choice by over a fifth (22%) of female respondents last year – a 16% increase compared with seven years ago. Over the same period, the proportion of boys expressing interest in the subject rose by just 5%.

Joyce Lane, COA joint director, said: "Our survey results suggest that girls are beginning to respond positively to the message that they can perform as well as boys in Stem subjects and aim for rewarding careers in related professions such as engineering.

"It must be remembered that they were starting from a relatively low base, and women are still under-represented in these subject areas. Nevertheless, these are promising signs and it appears that we can expect to see more young women graduating with STEM degrees in the coming years."

Ian Vallely

Related Websites
http://www.coa.co.uk/

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