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At NIE Networks we welcome the opportunity to be one of the initial signatories to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Charter for business.

The Charter, which is a first for Northern Ireland, was launched in June 2014 by the Department for Employment and Learning STEM business group and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. It aims to demonstrate employers commitment to improving gender balance in their business.

stem charter for business

We have a long standing commitment to promoting equality of opportunity within STEM job roles. As part of our extensive outreach programme we utilise our outstanding women graduates, undergraduates and apprentices as STEM Ambassadors to inspire young people and encourage them to continue studying STEM subjects.

There are excellent opportunities for well paid and highly skilled jobs within the power engineering sector with an estimated 38,000 new power engineering jobs across the UK over the next 10 years and beyond. However, there is a significant shortage of electrical engineering graduates to fill these jobs.

stem charter for business

Over the last five years women have made up 25% of our electrical engineering graduate intake. Whilst we have seen an increasing interest from women in electrical engineering we recognise that we still have a long way to go and will continue to use innovative ways to attract more women into STEM careers.