Kevin Wellman, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), is celebrating the work of female engineers and the influence they can have on the industry’s future.
A government report published earlier this year revealed that around 95% of plumbing engineers are men, meaning that the industry is missing out on a larger hiring pool that comes with gender diversity. Kevin has said that that one way to help shift the gender imbalance is by sharing stories of women in engineering.
Kevin said: “We need to do more to champion gender diversity as it will benefit the industry as a whole and is the right thing to do, both professionally and ethically.”
The plumbing and heating industry is providing platforms for women, such as the HIP Female Skills competition, which showcases the proficiency and potential of those who are new to the industry. There were also two female recipients of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers £1,000 student bursaries for tools and equipment.
Kevin added: “While we have seen some positive changes to create clear pathways for women and celebrating their success, we need to do more to improve the industry by increasing diversity. By working with schools and colleges, we are creating avenues for young people of any gender to explore engineering.”