The 2018 Year of Engineering put a welcome spotlight on the UK’s engineering skills gap and the under-representation of women in the profession. Several years on, progress is visible—but there is still much to do. Engineering remains one of the UK’s most important sectors, contributing an estimated £645 billion to the economy, yet women still account for only around 16.5% of the engineering workforce.
That figure, from EngineeringUK’s 2024 State of Engineering report, is up from roughly one in ten a decade ago. It is encouraging, but the UK still lags behind many European neighbours and remains a long way from gender parity. Closing the gap matters not only for equality but for the country’s economic competitiveness.
Why the UK needs more women engineers
Engineering touches almost every part of modern life: transport, energy, healthcare, communications, food production and the built environment. As the UK invests in net-zero infrastructure, digital connectivity and transport upgrades, demand for skilled engineers is outpacing supply. EngineeringUK estimates that the UK will need around 173,000 new engineering recruits each year between now and 2030.
Women represent a large, under-used talent pool. Research consistently shows that diverse teams solve problems more creatively, manage risk more effectively and deliver stronger financial results. For an industry facing complex challenges—from designing offshore wind farms to retrofitting homes for heat pumps—diversity is not a ‘nice to have’; it is essential.
Signs of progress
There are genuine reasons for optimism. The number of women accepted onto engineering degree courses has risen steadily. According to WISE, women made up 22.8% of acceptances to engineering courses in 2023, up from 15.7% in 2011. Apprenticeships are also opening up: women now account for around 12.4% of engineering-related apprenticeship starts, though this remains lower than higher education.
High-profile projects have shown what inclusive recruitment can achieve. Crossrail, now the Elizabeth line, opened in May 2022 and at its peak employed women in around a third of roles on site. The project created strong mentorship networks and proved that large infrastructure schemes can attract and retain female engineers when culture and working practices are right.
Current and future schemes offer similar opportunities. High Speed 2 (HS2) is under construction between London and Birmingham, while the TransPennine Route Upgrade, Northern Powerhouse Rail, East West Rail and Sizewell C are all expected to need thousands of engineers. Beyond rail, the expansion of offshore wind, electric vehicle infrastructure and green hydrogen is creating new roles in energy and environmental engineering.
Barriers still to overcome
Despite the opportunities, women still face obstacles. Stereotypes about engineering being a ‘male’ career persist in schools and among parents and carers. Many girls drop maths and physics at A-level, closing off engineering pathways before they have begun. Workplace culture can also be unwelcoming: a lack of senior female role models, inflexible working and concerns about site facilities or personal protective equipment designed for men all contribute to higher attrition rates.
The gender pay gap in engineering, while narrower than in some sectors, still exists. Women are under-represented in senior leadership and in certain disciplines such as mechanical and electrical engineering. Addressing these issues requires targeted outreach, inclusive recruitment, transparent progression and family-friendly policies.
Routes into engineering
Engineering is accessible through many pathways. School leavers can choose A-levels in maths and physics, T Levels in design, surveying and planning, or engineering-focused BTECs. Apprenticeships combine paid work with study and are available at intermediate, advanced, higher and degree levels. University remains a common route, with accredited engineering degrees leading to chartered or incorporated status.
Professional bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology offer careers guidance, mentoring and accreditation. Organisations such as Women’s Engineering Society, WISE and STEM Returners provide networks, training and support for women entering or returning to the sector.
Career prospects and entrepreneurship
Engineering offers strong earning potential and career progression. The median engineering salary is around £38,500, significantly above the UK average, and experienced specialists, project managers and consultants can earn considerably more. The skills are also highly transferable: many engineers move into consultancy, project management, research, policy or teaching.
For women with an entrepreneurial mindset, engineering is a fertile area for business ownership. Clean-tech start-ups, sustainable construction consultancies, product design studios and engineering advisory firms are all growing fields. Support is available through business networks, innovation grants and programmes aimed at women-led enterprises, helping founders turn technical expertise into viable companies.
What employers can do
Employers play a decisive role. Inclusive job adverts, diverse interview panels, flexible working, clear pay bands and sponsorship for professional registration all help attract and retain women. Firms should also audit their culture, ensure PPE and site facilities are suitable for women, and invest in mentorship and sponsorship programmes.
Government and industry initiatives continue to support this agenda. The EngineeringUK research programme, the Royal Academy of Engineering’s This is Engineering campaign and sector-specific skills plans all aim to widen participation and showcase engineering as a creative, people-focused career.
The future for women in engineering
The UK’s engineering sector is entering a transformative period. Decarbonisation, digitalisation and major infrastructure investment will create demand for problem-solvers from every background. Women who choose engineering today can expect varied, well-paid careers with real societal impact.
There has never been a better time for women to enter, return to or progress in engineering. The sector needs their skills, perspectives and leadership—and the country’s future infrastructure depends on it.
