Written question asked by Michael Fabricant (Conservative) on Monday, 31 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 November 2005. It was answered by Meg Munn (Labour) on Thursday, 3 November 2005 on behalf of the Minister for Women.

Women Engineering Graduates

Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what percentage of engineering graduates are women; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: In 2002–03, 17 per cent. of students obtaining their first degree in Engineering and Technology were female. For postgraduate students the female percentage in 2002–03 was 23.1 per cent.The Government has invested a total £6.9 million into a resource centre to work specifically with employers enabling them to tackle the barriers which prevent girls and women seeing science and technology including engineering as an attractive and rewarding career. Although engineering remains an area of low female participation, the resource centre is working closely with other professional organisations, such as the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Engineering Technology Board, to develop strategic approaches to tackle this issue.

Secondary information