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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures the Department has put in place to ensure the promotion of science, engineering and technology as a career to women in educational establishments; and what indicators are used to measure the success of these schemes. [180071] Ms Hewitt: The contract for the new Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) encompasses all SET occupations including careers in educational establishments. The Resource Centre contractors have established a dedicated HE Advisory Group and intend to work closely with the Athena project which has already done excellent work in identifying the barriers to women reaching senior positions in HE occupations and providing good practice advice to employers in this area. Over the first three years of the contract I would expect to see an encouraging upward trend in the number of women reaching the most senior positions. However, it is obviously important that my Department and that of Education and Skills work closely on this since there are issues about getting girls and women to study appropriate subjects at school and university in order that a critical mass in the HE work force can be achieved. We are working together on this through the 10 year framework for Science and Innovation. DfES has contributed £200,000 to the Resource Centre to support HEIs to put measures in place that aid retention and progression of female undergraduates on SET courses into the SET labour force, including: grants to assist HEIs in running mentoring schemes; placements in industry and research; focused tutor and peer support systems; and work with employers.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

180071; 423 c275-6W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Career development Women Higher education Educational institutions Engineering Technology Science

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk