IET: Lack of women studying maths and physics at A-level a worry say engineers

Today’s publication of exam results in the UK reveals a marked difference between the number of male and female students taking maths and physics at A-level.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is warning that economic prosperity could be at risk if more students, particularly females, do not study and successfully complete these key enabling subjects.

Jayne Hall, IET Policy Advisor, said: “Maths and physics are crucial gateway subjects and vital to the industry and economy as a whole. With recent results from the IET’s Skills & Demand survey showing that only 7 per cent of the engineering and technology workforce are women, action needs to be taken at an early stage by encouraging females into these subjects.

“Students are aware of the importance of A-level maths to starting a career in engineering, but the perceived importance of physics is much lower.

“It is vital that we encourage more students, particularly females, to study these key enabling subjects. Currently, female students effectively rule themselves out of an engineering career at age 14 by not studying maths and physics.  We must change this so that students can make informed subject choices.”

Ends

Notes to editors:
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Media enquiries to:
Robert Beahan, External Communications Manager
T: +44 (0)1438 767336
M: +44 (0)7595 400912
E: rbeahan@theiet.org