Abstract
Every year the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) hosts the prestigious Young Woman Engineer (YWE) of the Year awards to celebrate the remarkable achievements of young women in the engineering profession.
Our IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year awards celebrate women in modern engineering as they aim to help change the perception of engineering and encourage more women to pursue STEM careers. We seek to find role models to inspire more girls to join the industry and help us to engineer a better world.
Open to female early career professionals (18-35) the awards seek out the very best and brightest. Now in its 42nd year, this inspirational set of awards shines a spotlight on the young women that are breaking barriers and changing perceptions of what it's like to work as a female in the engineering sector.
History Launched in 1978, it was originally known as the Girl Technician of the Year, but was changed to the Young Woman Engineer of the Year in 1988.
The YWE award was originally sponsored by the Caroline Haslett Memorial Trust, which provided scholarships and other educational opportunities for women seeking or already pursuing careers in electronic, electrical or mechanical engineering.
Dame Caroline Haslett (1895-1957) was the first Secretary of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) out of which grew the Electrical Association for Women (EAW) and Dame Caroline was appointed its Director and Secretary. Through the Association she encouraged the use of power in the home believing that electricity was the real emancipator of women.
The Trust was formed in 1945 to commemorate the 21st anniversary of EAW and after Dame Caroline’s death it became a memorial to her. The Trust funds are now exhausted, but the IET continues to support the Young Woman of the Year Award.
Six young woman engineers have been announced as this year’s YWE finalists. Find our who will become the YWE winner on 4 March 2021 from 6:30pm at our virtual awards ceremony. We are also excited to announce the winner of our Gender Diversity Ambassador Award.
For more information about the awards please visit: youngwomenengineer.theiet.org
