Salamander Pumps is backing an event to encourage more women into engineering careers, as part of the International Women in Engineering Day celebrations in June.

Organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Young Members panel, the Inspiring Careers event takes place at Newcastle University and is aimed at GCSE and sixth form students, college and university students, and young professionals.

The audience will hear four women speakers, including Salamander’s design engineer Diana Hunter (pictured), talk about their career choices and explain more about the variety of roles and opportunities for female engineers.

Salamander manufactures a wide range of shower and whole house pumps. As part of the research and development team, Diana is involved in all aspects of product design, including designing new pumps and working with technologies new to the pump market.

“This will be an inspiring event for anyone either already working in or considering a career in engineering,” said Diana, who recently gained Chartered Engineer status with the support of her employer, and holds a BEng (Hons) in Design Engineering.

“We face a national skills shortage exacerbated by the lack of women entering the profession, and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers is working hard to change perceptions around what a career in engineering looks like. This event is about inspiring young women and helping them to make informed career choices, and it is great to see the Institution’s young members themselves driving the agenda.”

According to the UK’s Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, just 12% of those working in engineering are female, with only 3% of apprenticeships started by females.

The International Women in Engineering Day Inspiring Careers event takes place at 6.30pm on Thursday 22 June 2017 at Nixon Hall, Northumbria University, Ellison Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST.

For more details visit: https://nearyou.imeche.org/near-you/UK/North-Eastern/event-detail?id=13600.