ASTON MARTIN TEAMS UP WITH THE RAF TO ATTRACT HIGH-FLYING WOMEN

Aston Martin has teamed up with the Royal Air Force, to attract the next generation of women into engineering roles in both organisations.

A pioneering STEM Women in Engineering event took place at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on Wednesday 24 June and saw around 140 female students attend.

The event, organised for young women from school Years 9 to 13 was designed to promote career opportunities at Aston Martin, and in the RAF, to young women from across the South East and the West Midlands, in support of National Women in Engineering Day.

Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer attended the event to deliver the keynote speech, along with Air Vice-Marshal Sue Gray, the most senior female Engineer in the RAF, while six female graduates from the luxury British sport car brand’s Engineering and Commercial functions, as well as RAF Recruiting and Engagement teams from the South East and West Midlands area were also on hand to discuss career opportunities and training paths with the young attendees.

Dr Palmer said: “Encouraging more young women to pursue rewarding careers in engineering begins with great events such as this, which is why we wanted to support.

“Breaking down any remaining barriers to this career path – perceived or actual – starts by generating a desire to work in hi-tech fields such as those on show here at RAF Brize Norton today.

“Working with the RAF at this event, to encourage and support these gifted students on their journey to careers in engineering of whatever sort, is a real privilege and I’m very happy to be able to do whatever I can to help.”

Aside from the formal presentations, the event included a number of trade-related interactive stands and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities.

The day also provided the opportunity for visitors to experience a busy operational RAF station, understand more about technical scholarships and highlight the wide range of careers and trades available to women in the RAF.

Aston Martin has a number of volunteer STEM ambassadors who give their time via an organisation called STEMNET – the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network – to encourage young people into these disciplines.