With many qualified women in STEM  not returning to the engineering sector after a career or maternity break, we are losing out on these skills in engineering – skills that are often enhanced in many ways during the breaks – and we are failing to utilise the links that these women have with their local communities, schools, and other parents/influencers. With a bit of thought, organisation and encouragement we could mobilise this untapped resource and either reintroduce these skilled women to the engineering sector, or use them as ambassadors for our profession in other ways. This conference explores the opportunities and some of the best practices that are out there to access and utilise this neglected resource.   

The conference is aimed at individual women engineers as well as companies wanting to know more about current best practices in developing and retaining women employees. 

During the day delegates will hear from Sue Ferns of Prospect Union about the STEM survey that highlighted the barriers women face in returning to work after a break; from Julianne Miles (Women Returners) and Julie Thornton (Thames Tideway Tunnel) about women ‘Returnship’ programmes; we hear from Katie Perry on the Daphne Jackson Trust and ways to reintroduce women to science careers; Clem Herman on the Open University STEM returners online course; Kate Bellingham will talk about her new venture School Gate SET and Jenny Young from the Royal Academy of Engineering will talk about what Professional Engineering Institutions are doing to support their women members through the RETURN programme.

In the afternoon there will be presentations from companies including Arup, Atkins, Airbus, Make Architects, Goldman Sachs, Laing O’Rourke, National Grid and Hyder Consulting who will outline case studies about how they have supported their employees, and from Thames Tideway Tunnel and Women Returners on the first UK engineering returnship programme. The final panel session will allow the audience to discuss the issues with panel members who have spoken during the day.

The conference sessions will be chaired by Meg Munn, Philippa Oldham (IMechE) and Kim Pamplin (P&G).

In parallel sessions there will be some Continued Professional Development on Personal and Career Development from two experienced coaches in Susan Room and Carol Stewart, and WES members will have the chance to learn more about the Magnificent Women schools outreach programme, and how they can be involved in this.

This event takes place on National Women in Engineering Day (23rd June, 2015) in London.

Costs: WES members: £50 (concessions/career break members: £30); Non-WES members (including WES membership) : £90 (Concessions: £50); and students: £20