B*N*S*N1

From left: Sergeant Stephanie Cole, Flight Lieutenants Michelle Goodman and Joanna Watkinson, and Sergeant Wendy Donald during training in southern California to fly Merlin helicopters in Afghanistan
[Picture: SAC Andrew Morris, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]

RAF wins award for inspiring women in the workforce

A History and Honour news article

13 May 10

The Royal Air Force has won a national inspiring women in the workforce award for the work it has done encouraging young women to consider a career in engineering.

More than 500 business and public sector leaders gathered in London for the 15th annual Opportunity Now Awards ceremony which recognised UK employers that have demonstrated the most commitment to and innovation in creating workplaces where women can succeed and made addressing inequality a business imperative.

Opportunity Now is part of Business in the Community, a charity which mobilises business for good and empowers employers to accelerate change for women in the workplace because it makes good business sense.

The RAF were awarded the Inspiring the Workforce of the Future Award for the work it has done encouraging girls to consider a career in engineering.

15,000 children have participated in the RAF's primary school roadshow and it has developed a week-long residential course for 14 to15-year-old girls to engage them in science, engineering and technology.

Squadron Leader Glynnis Dean, from RAF Cranwell, said:

"We are absolutely delighted to win the award for our gender work, the prime objective of which is to improve female representation in technical trades and branches and also in the flying branch....

More here.