WOMEN ON BOARD

The under-representation of women
in manufacturing and engineering,
clearly requires a cultural shift in
education, in order to encourage more
girls to study mathematics and the
sciences.

Only a fifth of female students take physics
at 'A' level and one third mathematics. This is
reflected in those studying the subjects at
university. It is, therefore, unlikely that many
women will be qualified to rise to the levels of
seniority in engineering and technology, which
meet EU demands for more gender balance in
the boardroom.

Change the perception of young women that
manufacturing is a man's world. That is the first
step in establishing a pipeline from which women
will emerge to take up senior positions on
merit, rather than political correctness. Vacuous talk
of glass ceilings and EU-imposed gender quotas
will do little to develop the vital contribution that
women can make to the economy and the UK's
ability to pay its way.