Women urged to fill skills shortage

Chat date: Wednesday 28th November 2007
Chat time: 3pm

What's your next career step? Have you ever thought about becoming a space scientist? Or working at the cutting edge of technology and design, creating gadgets that will become high street favourites? Traditionally it would be men who would say yes and pursue these careers but women are being encouraged to demonstrate their skills and prove that equality can be universal across every job sector.

Roles in the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) industries are no longer just jobs for the boys. Improved working environments and more flexible working hours means young women or those returning after motherhood have more opportunities and better working practices than ever before.

But progress still needs to be made. In SET, women still make up only 18% of the workforce. This means that the UK is failing to make the most of the talents of over half the population despite the fact there is a skills shortage within SET. Itís clear that change is needed.

To tell us how this will be achieved are three women who have bucked the national trend and proved that women can be successful in these fields. They'll be fielding your questions about how you can get involved and find the dream job that you might have thought out of your reach. And yes what it's like to be a space scientist!

Maggie Philbin, former Tomorrow's World presenter, Maggie Aderin, Space Scientist and Annette Williams, Director of the UKRC join us live online here on Wednesday 28th November at 3pm to discuss how to improve opportunities for women in SET.

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