24-25 November 2017

Aston University, Birmingham

Over 120 students will come together to participate in a full programme of useful and informative sessions under the s ub theme 'Engineering to Change the World', to help them prepare for a career in engineering (and related fields) after completing their studies.
 
Highlights from the event will be provided in next month's edition of the newsletter.
 
We would like to thank our conference sponsors and supporters:

WES organises another successful Lottie Tour!

During Tomorrow's Engineers Week (6-10 November 2017) WES organised a Lottie Tour, where engineers posted photos of Lottie at their places of work to show the range of careers available within engineering. A full range of Lottie dolls were used to highlight that any girl can be an engineer, with the hastag #EngineeringForAll being used throughout the week.  Over 25 WES volunteers posted 235 tweets, acheiving 4,243 likes and retweets at by the end of the week! To see more, search #LottieTour on Twitter.

Loughborough University's WES student group

Swansea Women's Engineering Society 

Swansea Women's Engineering Society successfully launched a mentoring scheme with a scavenger hunt; 37 mentors and mentees took part in the event which was immensely enjoyed by all. 

The first of a number of planned social events kicked off with an energetic trampolining event and a they hosted a STEM Ambassador training session with a Swansea representative, so that next semester they can promote engineering in local schools.

WESBath

WESBath kicked off the Semester with outreach activities for a workshop with a group of Brownies in Bath and a quiz night social, which even featured a bonus STEM round and some impressive paper aeroplanes (one of which may still be in the Mech Eng design studio ceiling...). 

In the coming months WESBath is planning more outreach and a Christmas meal, where they are inviting some female researchers form the University to share their experience with the students. They're also planning a debate social!

The WES Cambridgeshire cluster are invited to attend the CamAWISE Winter Networking at 8pm on Thursday 7 December 2017 in the Reception Rooms at Lucy Cavendish College. Email [email protected] to sign up for the event - it's only £12 and includes seasonal cakes and drinks. To keep up to date with CamAWISE sign up to their newsletter here. If you'd like to get in touch before the event email the local WES representative at [email protected].

WES is a founding member of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists - INWES. This network of networks was set up in 2002 to support the ICWES conferences, running every three years since 1964, and to drive global collaboration. Through INWES, WES can address concerns of WES members with international links and in turn, INWES provides WES with better opportunities to work with partners across Europe, through the regional network INWES-Europe, and beyond. Through INWES, WES can be part of coordinated efforts to influence international bodies such as the UN.

All WES paid-up members are also INWES members. There is much to be done and we welcome input and volunteers from across WES to join in the work of INWES and INWES-Europe and to strengthen links to WES and UK concerns. If you would like to know more, please contact Sarah on [email protected] or directly [email protected].

For more information: see  www.wes.org.uk/content/international-inwes, and  www.inwes.org. Follow on Twitter  @INWES_Engineers and on Facebook  www.facebook.com/INWES/.

WES Council Member Kati Gastrow has been invited to join two EPSRC teams as an independent industry member. 

EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, investing more than £800 million a year in a broad range of subjects - from mathematics to materials science, and from information technology to structural engineering. 

As a member of the Engineering Strategic Advisory Team (SAT), she will contribute to advising the EPSRC on research and training strategy across EPSRC's portfolio. As a member of the Manufacturing The Future Prioritisation Panel, the role will involve prioritising grant proposals from a range of manufacturing research topics.

"I have actively used industry research to make strategic technology decisions for manufacturing, most commonly by combining new technologies in new ways to achieve business objectives sustainably - whether it be RFID, robotics or wireless. While I have not created formal research content of my own in several years, I would like to give back to the engineering research community by serving on these teams."

Women's Business Council Award for WES Past President Dawn Bonfield

Dawn Bonfield MBE, Past President of WES, has won the WBC Awards 2017 'Starting Out' category in her role as Founder and Director of Towards Vision.

Towards Vision is a company which aims to work towards a vision of diversity and inclusion in engineering. Dawn is developing a University undergraduate module on Inclusive Engineering to equip our next generation of engineers with the skills and competencies they need to be inclusive.

Jan Peters MBE, Past President of WES, was invited to Bournemouth University on 9 November to collect her honorary doctorate and address this year's engineering and computer science graduates. In her address to students she used the theme of 1980s and 90's hit songs to draw out lessons for the future including: Funboy 3 and Banarama "It ain't what you do..." and Chumbawumba's catchy hit "I fall down. I get up again."! Read more here.

The leading construction & design show for Scotland:

• 5,0000+ high-level attendees (contractors, architects, engineers, developers, government, buyers, and more)
• An exhibition showcasing the latest innovations and technologies from around the world
• 80+ Conference Speakers and CPD-accredited Workshops (Summits covering: Future Construction, Infrastructure, BIM & Digital Construction, Sustainability, Architecture and more)
• Celebrity guests, competitions, prize giveaways, entertainment, a beer & whisky festival.
• Recruitment opportunities
• Meet the Buyer sessions and networking meetings

Book your FREE tickets to Scotland Build .

Next steps for apprenticeships and skills development in Scotland

6 December 2017, 09:00 - 13:00  [£210 plus VAT]
The Principal Edinburgh, 38 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

This seminar will provide a timely opportunity for delegates to discuss the next steps for Scotland's skills development and apprenticeships policy following introduction of the Apprenticeships Levy and the rollout of foundation and graduate apprenticeships. 

Find out more and book your place here.

Mince Pies and Networking 7 December 2017, 18:00 - 21.00 [Free] 5 Chancery Lane, London

You are invited to join us at our annual celebratory event which is an opportunity to network with members and non-members over mince pies and mulled wine.

We will also be announcing the successfully matched pairs in our new mentoring scheme.

Non-members of Women in Transport are welcome but it is essential that all attendees register. Book your free place now!

The 'Women-Led Innovation in STEM', a highly interactive, impact-driven conference aims to inspire young British and Arab women to enter into STEM careers, and actively connects established women leaders in STEM with rising stars and entrepreneurs in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

More information and register here.

Energising Tomorrow's World

This empowering one-day event will gather both male and female role models who innovate, challenge and embrace technology, inspirational women who have achieved great success within the sector and influential entrepreneurs who will share stories of their journey. The event will be attended by 600 women and men working in tech across industry sectors so offers a fantastic networking opportunity.

Whether you're a manager looking to drive your team's performance, an aspiring leader or an ambitious graduate looking to build a career in the tech sector, our inspiring line-up will help give you the skills and motivation you need to succeed.

Book your place at the everywoman in Tech Forum today.

Addressing the national engineering skills gap is a common strategic issue for both MOD and industry which can only be addressed through a joined up coherent approach.

The Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) working group for skills is co-chaired by Air Marshal Julian Young - MOD Defence Engineering Champion - and Kevin Craven - CEO Serco UK & Europe. Their key output is to provide an evidence-based view of the engineering skills landscape within the defence engineering enterprise to assist policy leads in their decision making.

In order to address this we need to understand the detail regarding what supports the supply of skills and what inhibits it. With this purpose in mind, the DSF are undertaking their first biennial survey that can be used as a decision support tool to benchmark the engineering skills landscape across the sector, assess attitudes to engineering skills shortfalls and identify priority areas for focus for interventions that will address such issues.

Participate in the  DSF Skills Survey 2017 here.  Closing date is 15 December 2017.

NED Awards 2018

The Non-Executive Director (NED) Awards is a fantastic 'Oscars' style event run every year and nominations are now open for the 2018 NED Awards. The Awards recognise the achievements of Non-Executive Directors within the Business and Not-For-Profit/Public Sector communities. There are 6 awards: 

FTSE 100 Quoted Aim Quoted Official List Not for Profit/Public Sector Unlisted/Private Equity NED to Watch, in memory of the late Dame Helen Alexander

If you know a Non-Executive Director, Senior Independent Director, Chairman or Trustee that deserves recognition please nominate here today.

Pioneer Women in the Professions

Author Jane Robinson is working on a book celebrating the centenary of women's entry into the traditional professions following the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act of December 1919. She'll write about pioneer architects, lawyers, doctors, engineers and churchwomen, together with those working in academia and the media during the 1920s and 1930s. 

Jane would like to hear about your favourite female role models of that era. She's looking for strong (but not necessarily high-profile) characters and surprising achievements; inspirational women who through their own efforts and determination helped to shape the family and working lives of professional women today.

Contact her at [email protected] or c/o Veronique Baxter, David Higham Associates, Floor 7, Waverley House, 7-12 Noel Street, London W1F 8GQ.

Equate Scotland provides a range of career development opportunities for women working in STEM fields in Scotland. From one day courses on a range of subjects (managing change, applying for board positions, assertiveness to name a few) through to a three day career enhancement programme and one to one career clinics. Many of the services are free to access. There is also a subsidised coaching programme offering five sessions over a four month period. 

Allison Johnstone, Equate's Training and Development Manager says: "we know that many women find Equate through word of mouth and recommendation. We are really pleased we can offer many of our career development services for free and we are keen that we reach as many women in Scotland as possible.  

More information on Equate Scotland's work can be found on the website.

Where Women Work celebrated Tomorrow Engineers Week and Equal Pay Day

Two key opportunities for raising awareness about women's advancement this month saw Where Women Work shine a spotlight on companies committed to supporting the careers pathways of women engineers and also taking action to help close the gender pay gap through equal pay activity. See www.wherewomenwork.com.

#PressforProgress for International Women's Day 2018

With an exciting campaign theme and lots of useful resources being made available, worldwide activity is well underway for IWD 2018. Publish your events, order resources, collaborate and more at www.internationalwomensday.com

Not to be confused with WES' International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) on 23 June.

Volunteer at The Big Bang Fair 2018 at The NEC, Birmingham

Alton School pupil becomes an International Ambassador 

Lauren Shea, a pupil at Alton School, has been announced as the first International Ambassador for TeenTech at a lavish ceremony at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH The Duke of York. The Hungarian team she mentored won the International Prize category and Lauren's outstanding efforts were recognised by the unique honour of becoming an International Ambassador for the programme. This is hot on the heels of her being the youngest on the list of '50 most influential women in engineering' published in the Daily Telegraph earlier this year.

Lauren was a 2015 TeenTech award winner for her invention of the 'M- Shuttle' - an innovative concept to get lifesaving medical supplies to soldiers on a battlefield. Since then she has supported other TeenTech teams both at home and abroad to develop their ideas, working with teams in Finland, Spain and Hungary as well as younger pupils at Alton School.  Also present at the Buckingham Palace ceremony were pupils from Alton's Lower Sixth (congratulations to Beatrice Pilgrim, Imogen Peterson and Isabel Robinson) who were finalists for a piece of wearable technology they had designed that can detect UV radiation. 

Sold-out Performances of 'On Them Our Lives Depend'