UWE Bristol is proud to announce the positive impact of its recent project, supported by funding from the Office for Students (OfS), aimed at increasing female participation in engineering and built environment degree apprenticeships. This initiative is already driving growth and fostering inclusivity in these vital sectors.
The OfS funding supports the following UWE Bristol degree apprenticeship programmes:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Construction Site Manager
- Building Services Design Engineer
- Chartered Surveyor
- Cyber Security
- Digital and Technology
- Product Design
- Electronic Systems
- Nuclear Engineer
A core focus of the project is addressing gender imbalances across engineering and construction. Building on the success of the Women Like Me mentoring and outreach programme, we are thrilled to see a significant rise in female applicants, with women making up 37% of applications in 2024/25, compared to 20% the previous year. We expect that over 30% of new starters in several STEM apprenticeship programmes will be women—far exceeding the national average of 16% female representation in engineering.
Associate Professor Laura Fogg-Rogers, who leads the Women Like Me programme, highlights the importance of role models and mentors:
“It really brings home the saying that ‘You can’t be what you can’t see!’. Mentors in the Women Like Me programme are critical to support young women making their way into male-dominated professions, and feedback shows they make such a difference to career progression. Junior women thriving in apprenticeships are fantastic role models, inspiring the next generation to pursue impactful careers in engineering, property, and construction.”
Employer engagement is another vital aspect of this project. Roundtable events focused on diverse recruitment have drawn interest from a range of businesses, including new participants such as Boeing and Bristol Airport. David Barrett, Director of Apprenticeships at UWE Bristol, emphasizes the collaborative nature of the initiative:
“This project brings together employers and the University to make a real impact on the recruitment of women in STEM apprenticeships. We are already seeing the positive effects of this partnership approach in widening the talent pool and addressing skills gaps in key STEM industries.”
Simon Flenley, Assistant Director of Apprenticeships, notes the growing interest from employers:
“We’ve seen a 58% increase in employer engagement for these programmes from 2023/24 to 2024/25. It’s encouraging to see so many businesses committed to addressing skills shortages while also focusing on diversifying their workforce.”
For more information about this initiative and how it’s shaping the future of STEM apprenticeships click on the links below:
Women Like Me – Projects | UWE Bristol
Higher and degree apprenticeships – Courses and applying | UWE Bristol