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Katy Deacon's Inspirational Video

Katy Deacon is an Energy Engineer with Kirklees Council in Hudderfield, delivering renewable energy systems to schools, colleges and council buildings. Katy is also the award-winning creator of the Renewable Energy Toolkitis and has been spreading the message about engineering careers.

View Katy's inspirational video to find out more about her day job and why she decided to become an engineer.

Girls Still Switched off by careers in Engineering

The latest Girlguiding UK’s Girls Attitudes Survey shows that career choices often conform to gender stereotypes – the top career choice among girls in the 2009 survey was hairdresser or beautician, and few girls would consider a career in science or engineering.

“The survey highlighted that the majority of girls still hold very traditional views about career choices” said the UKRC Director Jane Butcher. They reject engineering because there are no female role models, it is seen as too hard and complicated, and is just not interesting. One in three girls of secondary age thinks that some jobs are more for boys – which may deter them from taking the appropriate GCSEs and A levels to qualify for this career path. When it comes to preparing for a career, many girls feel that they are not getting enough advice about choosing the right GCSEs and A levels. The WISE Campaign's case studies of insiprational women encourages girls to pursue a career in engineering and continue their studies at FE and HE.

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