Women mean business

Seven key reasons why women are essential in science, engineering and technology are set out in a new guide.

Women mean business is published by the UKRC, the government’s lead organisation against the under-representation of women in science, engineering, technology and the built environment (SET).

The guide says that in a competitive market for high calibre scientists, engineers and technologists, becoming established as an employer of choice will help SET organisations attract the most talented people from the broadest population.

Greater gender equality means businesses stand out as employers of choice and so attract people from the broadest population.

It also helps improve business performance, while it makes sound economic sense for SET organisations to encourage women to remain and progress with them, by helping them to return after a career break.

Meeting the gender challenge means firms are able to capitalise on changes in workforce demographics and it also helps solve the serious shortage of skills in many areas of SET.

Furthermore, it helps organisations meet public sector procurement standards and means they better reflect their customer base and wider society.

And finally, it enables organisations to comply with equality legislation.

The equalities minister in the coalition, Lynne Featherstone, said at the guide’s launch: “If we don’t promote women in our organisations we are missing out on 50% of the available talent in this country.”