TV's Steph in university female engineering drive

A higher education institution has partnered with a broadcaster to nurture the female engineers of tomorrow.

Teesside University and Steph McGovern have launched a learning programme.

Bosses say the venture, known as the Steph McGovern Women in Engineering Scholarship, will “ensure more female students have the opportunities, encouragement and resources to succeed”.

Revealing the endeavour will support every first‑year full‑time female engineering student, they add it will help address an engineering workforce imbalance, with women accounting for 16.9 per cent of staff, compared to 56 per cent across other occupations.

Middlesbrough-born Steph, who worked as a Black & Decker engineer before becoming a BBC Breakfast business reporter, said she is “delighted” to launch the scholarship programme.

She said: “If we want to make the world a better place for everyone, we need more women involved in the designing, making and running of it.

“To me, that means more female engineers.

“There are so many unnecessary barriers women have to overcome to get on the right path to a rewarding career, so anything I can do to tear one or two of them down brings me untold joy.”

Professor Mark Simpson, Teesside University deputy vice-chancellor and vice-chancellor designate, added: “Empowering students to thrive and embracing diversity are at the heart of our mission and values.

“This scholarship sends a powerful message about the talent we have in the Tees Valley and the importance of widening participation in STEM.”

The scholarship programme is backed by £44,000 funding from engineering skills charity Enginuity.

Ann Watson, Enginuity chief executive, said the partnership marks “a positive step in cracking the conundrum of producing more female engineers”.

She said: “Steph is a terrific role model and so tuned in to the barriers that women face entering our crucial sector.

“As someone who grew up on Teesside, and the first person in my family to go to university, I know first-hand the life-changing difference these scholarships can make.”

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