Engineering 'still considered male profession' – IMechE poll

The findings coincide with the appointment of the Institution's new president, Group Captain Mark Hunt (pictured), who has vowed to encourage greater diversity during his tenure. According to the survey, 66% of the public associate the term 'engineer' more with men, with just 27% saying they associated the term equally with men and women. Two fifths (40%) of the public think the current image of engineering is deterring women from the profession, compared with 21% saying it is deterring both men and women. Hunt said: "I want to use my year as president to demonstrate what engineers have to offer society, and to broaden public awareness of how engineers are improving the world we live in. I also want to help galvanise action to inspire the next generation of engineering innovators and work hard to encourage more diversity in the industry. "Women still make up a worrying low proportion of the engineering workforce, at 6%, and I am determined to help break down the stereotypes that are putting women off joining this vibrant and exciting profession. "My challenge to every engineer is to ask themselves what they have done today to improve society and then to tell someone about it. We need to be proud of our engineering achievements." Hunt is the Type Airworthiness Authority for the Royal Air Force's Sentinel and Sentry aircraft. His last role was as chief air engineer at the RAF's largest main operating base, Brize Norton. He succeeds Patrick Kniveton, head of engineering improvement at Rolls-Royce Marine Power, who became President in 2013.