Ford marked National Women in Engineering day with an ‘open door’ day for local schoolgirls at its Dunton Technical Centre in Essex.
To recognise Ford’s female engineers and to encourage more girls to consider science and engineering as a career, Ford gave local schoolgirls an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the closely guarded activities at the Dunton Technical Center, and later organised networking sessions to inform the pupils about career opportunities.
Barb Samardzich, chief operating officer, Ford of Europe hosted the event alongside Graham Hoare, director of global engineering, and they were delighted to welcome to Dunton Caroline Dinenage MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Women and Equalities and Family Justice.
The event formed part of Ford’s commitment to the Government supported “Your Life” campaign*, which encourages more pupils, especially young women, to take up STEM studies. This is in line with Ford’s ongoing work to inspire a future generation of engineers.
Activities the pupils were able to experience during their day at Ford Dunton included clay modelling, a behind-the-scenes tour of the home of the EcoBoost engine technology and the Global Commercial Vehicle engineering team, crash testing, the Environmental Test Laboratories (ETL) and calibration activity on the test track.
Barb Samardzich announced the 2015 “Ford Women in STEM Studies” prize, following last year’s successful competition. The aim is to find the most inspiring female student for the next generation of scientists, engineers and technologists. The prize was launched in 2014 and the winner, Holly Giles currently studying at Cambridge University, was present to support the 2015 launch.
Barb Samardzich, said: “Ford strongly supports the drive for more young women to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics and today these young women have seen the exciting opportunities that can be ahead of them if they choose this career path.
“Today’s activities are part of our on-going work to inspire more young people to consider studying science related subjects and to inspire a future generation of outstanding engineers.”
Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Women, Equalities and Family Justice, said: “National Women in Engineering Day is a great opportunity to celebrate all that women have achieved in engineering. But in an industry still dominated by men, we want to make sure that girls have the skills, opportunities and encouragement to become the engineers of the future. The young women I have met here today have hugely impressed me with their enthusiasm and talent, and clearly show the brilliance that the industry can harness if we support girls in the right way – and what a waste it would be if we do not.
“The Your Life campaign has a pivotal role in this, and I am delighted that businesses like Ford are taking part - leading the way in inspiring young women and helping them to succeed in this industry.”
Ford welcomed the five winners of the “Your Life Formula 100” engineering competition and rewarded them with rides around the Dunton test track in Ford heritage vehicles and a mentoring session with inspiring engineers, including Roma Agrawal, Structural Engineer of the Shard. They were awarded their certificates by Graham Hoare, director of global engineering, Ford Motor Company, and also offered places on the Ford Driving Skills for Life Programme for young drivers taking place in November. https://forddsfl.co.uk
Edwina Dunn, Chair of Your Life, said: "We are delighted that the deserving winners of our Formula 100 competition had the opportunity to experience this exclusive day with Ford to celebrate National Women in Engineering Day.
"It is great to see a leading UK employer committed to encouraging more young people – particularly girls – to consider pursuing a career in Science and Engineering.
"We will be continuing to work closely with Ford, as a corporate partner to the Your Life campaign, in our shared mission to showcase the dynamic career options open to young people through studying Maths and Physics – particularly at A-Level."
*Your life in an industry-led and Government backed campaign, which aims to show the dynamic career opportunities, unlocked by studying Science and Maths, and thereby drive uptake of Maths and Physics at A Level. Girls particularly need more encouragement to take these subjects. Ford has made a series of pledges to a range of actions and on-going commitments to increase participation, particularly young women and girls into STEM studies. Full details of the pledges are available on the Your Life website - http://partners.yourlife.org.uk/the-call-to-action.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 67,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 23 manufacturing facilities (15 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
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