Young women in the Borders are signing up for engineering and making their mark in what was traditionally a male-dominated industry.
The latest intake of electrical engineering students at Borders College includes four female students, who are all excelling on the course. Borders College lecturer Mark Catto believes it is a growth industry and is delighted to see more females choosing engineering as a career.
“We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of girls coming into the sector especially in electrical engineering and the electrical apprenticeship,” he said. “When I started eight years ago, we didn’t have any girls on the course and we’re now seeing two or three starting every year, so it’s increasing on a yearly basis.”
“I’d say electrical engineering is now a booming business especially with renewables. There is a shortage of electrical engineers and electricians, and so we’re pushing to get more into the trade. If you do all your training and education, the world’s your oyster; you can go as far as you want, especially in the renewables sector.”
”“We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of girls coming into the sector especially in electrical engineering and the electrical apprenticeship”
Mark CattoBorders College Lecturer
One of the new students is Gina Walker from Duns, who has already secured an offshore windfarm job. She explained why she had turned to engineering.
“I’m from a mechanical background and have been in a male-dominated trade my whole life,” she said, “but I’ve moved into renewables and work for Siemens, site based from Eyemouth, with a great team, which is brilliant, and I work offshore as well, so I’m learning many fab new skills.
“I moved into this industry looking for more electrical knowledge and experience, and these guys [at Borders College] have been fab so far. So, I’m really glad that I made the transition.”
Erin Moffat from Jedburgh, previously studied computer science, and she joined the college straight from school, and she admits she has enjoyed being one of few girls in the class.
“I was in with 20 boys for two years and when I started college I was in another class with 15 boys, but I felt a little bit powerful being the only girl to be honest and quite liked it.
“I have really enjoyed the subject and knew I didn’t want to just do computer science and so I’ve enjoyed learning about electrical engineering. I spoke to my old computing lecturer recently who told me about the robotics course at Heriot-Watt and because Borders College is linked with Heriot-Watt that’s quite an easy transition, so I’m hoping to go on to that next.”
It is great to see young Borders women are signing up for engineering at Borders College! Maybe one day we will see one of these ladies at the SBBEA Awards!
For more information on courses, go to: www.borderscollege.ac.uk
