The number of women pursuing engineering degrees in Northern Ireland has seen a substantial rise over the past decade, with institutions like Queen's University and Ulster University reporting significant increases in female enrollment in engineering programs. At Queen's University, the number of female students studying Mechanical Engineering has grown by 40% in the last ten years, while Ulster University has seen its engineering student numbers nearly double over the same period.
Despite this academic growth, employment data reveals that the engineering and manufacturing sectors in Northern Ireland continue to be predominantly male. To address this, a group of women working in the engineering industry in Mid Ulster are actively working to highlight career opportunities for women in the field.
Lorraine O'Neill, Senior Logistics Manager at Powerscreen, a global manufacturer of equipment for the quarrying, mining, and construction industries, has witnessed significant changes. When she joined the company in 1994, there were fewer than 10 women working there. Today, the company employs over 300 women across Northern Ireland. "Yes there are still gender stereotypes in this industry, but we've come a long way since I first started out," O'Neill stated. She also noted that when she began, there were no women in the senior management team, but now 50% of their senior leadership is female.
Powerscreen, which has been in business for 60 years and is a pioneer in mobile screening equipment, is located in an area known for its engineering and manufacturing firms, with over 40% of the world's mobile crushing and screening equipment produced in the Mid Ulster region. The company, acquired by Terex Corporation in 1999, has seen its workforce diversify.
Recent graduate Sneha Saji, a manufacturing engineer at Powerscreen, found inspiration in seeing women in senior engineering roles. She acknowledged that some departments might feel male-dominated but encouraged others to pursue their interests. "Don't let the stereotypes put you off, ask plenty of questions and don't be afraid to make mistakes," Saji advised.
Amelia McCormack, a senior logistics co-ordinator at Powerscreen for seven years, joined through an apprenticeship. She described her role as "hands on, fast paced" and expressed pride in being a woman in the industry, while also acknowledging that more progress is needed. Current figures indicate that women hold approximately 11% of engineering roles in Northern Ireland and constitute about 23% of the manufacturing workforce.
Professor Juliana Early from Queen's University's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering views the rise in female engineering students as a positive indicator of change. "This growth reflects changing perceptions of the opportunities afforded by engineering and the success of targeted efforts to ensure that talented women see the sector as a place where they can thrive," she said.
Rachel Pattison, head of operations at Tierco Healthcare and an engineer with 16 years of experience, emphasized the importance of encouraging young women in STEM subjects at an early age. She noted that supportive teachers and parents were crucial in her own career path, preventing stereotypes from becoming a barrier. However, in 2024, subjects like maths and physics, popular among boys at A-level, are not in the top five for girls. A Department for the Economy taskforce reported that only one in five STEM jobs in Northern Ireland are filled by women.
Pattison encourages young women interested in the industry to be curious and passionate. "If it's something you feel passionate about do not let anybody pigeonhole you or say you can't make it, because it's not true," she stated.