Member Article

Filtration specialists inspiring new generation of female Engineers

The UK has the lowest proportion of women in engineering roles in Europe. Startlingly, only 7% of engineering professionals are female, and the proportion of women in engineering apprenticeships is even lower. In order to help reverse this trend and help inspire a new generation of women into engineering, Walker Filtration is working alongside the Engineering Development Trust (EDT).

As part of a wider Engineering in Education Scheme, Walker Filtration have worked with North-East England independent girls’ school, Newcastle High School for Girls, over the last academic year to deliver a live project brief to a group of Year 12 girls. The six month project provided the AS-Level Physics pupils with ‘hands-on’ work experience testing and evaluating recently developed filtration products. During the project phase, the girls were encouraged to show industrial enterprise, creativity and innovation whilst gaining extensive experience of problem-solving, team-working and project management.

The project culminated with a technical report and the girls also presented their findings to members of the Walker Filtration Senior Management Team. On completion of the project, the girls attained the British Association (BA) Gold CREST Award.

‘I am delighted that our girls have been part of such a high quality educational enrichment scheme. It is so important that girls have access to schemes that open their eyes to the wide range of career opportunities in STEM organisations. The invaluable work experience provided by Walker Filtration will enable the girls to make an informed decision about their future studies and potential career in engineering.’ Hilary French, Headmistress, Newcastle High School for Girls.

Walker Filtration place significant focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and as a North-East England headquartered company, believe it is important to invest in the local and wider communities. Other CSR initiatives which have taken place this year include donations to local hospitals as well as fundraising for national children and cancer charities.

For further information visit www.walkerfiltration.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Walker Filtration Ltd. .