STUDENTS INSPIRED BY FEMALE ENGINEERS

Female engineers from Wolverhampton’s Engine Manufacturing Centre recently swapped their steel toe caps for a school as they spent time at a local school inspiring the next generation of women to hopefully embark on a career in engineering.

They gave an overview of their journey in to manufacturing to groups of year 8 girls, who were all at a critical time in their education journey where they were about to choose their GCSE options.

Kamila Tkaczyk (Engineering Change Control), Sara Mason (Container Analyst- MP&L), Stevie Jones (Supplier Parts-Quality Associate), Urisha Sampla (Process Engineer- EDU) and Megan Goodfellow (Degree Apprentice) were all grilled by the students.

Megan Goodfellow said: “I enjoyed presenting to the young girls the school – their impression of an engineer was definitely the stereotype of one who works in a dirty, oily environment.

“So, it was good to give them an insight into what we do to try and change that misconception.

"I also found it interesting learning a bit about the other women from the plant and how their journey with Jaguar Land Rover started.”

And, on Thursday, a group of female students from Brewood Middle School in Stafford visited the Engine Manufacturing Centre for a special event. The ‘Women in Engineering’ course, organised to mark International Women’s Day, gave the students a behind-the-scenes insight into STEM careers at Jaguar Land Rover, which is located only three miles from the school.

The students participated in a tour of Diesel Assembly, Powertrain Way and the Machining Hall then grilled female engineers about their education and employment. The visit concluded with a fun engine building task which tested their communication and team-working skills.

Madi, 13, added: “I’ve had a great day! I expected the plant to be industrial and full of people but it was very clean and there were a lot of robots.

“I’m not sure what careers to pursue yet but engineering is on my list.

“I really enjoyed talking to the Jaguar Land Rover engineers and found them really inspiring.”

I’ve had a great day! I expected the plant to be industrial and full of people but it was very clean and there were a lot of robots. I’m not sure what careers to pursue yet but engineering is on my list. I really enjoyed talking to the Jaguar Land Rover engineers and found them really inspiring.

Madi, 13 Student from Brewood Middle School