Queenager Careers: March Noon Jobs Board, calling all midlife women in STEM
We know it is harder to get a job in your 50s, that is why we are here to help!
Sorry for the stock image but there is a dearth of imagery of Queenager Engineers, this was the closest I could get!
Dear Queenagers
This month’s careers newsletter about women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is particularly close to my heart – although I did an English Literature degree, I’d intended to study Chemistry at uni, so I did Physics and Chemistry at A level along with a module in Engineering, on which I was the only girl. Us engineers would take a bus from school to technical college in Wandsworth where we learnt to use lathes and machines – I made a steel screwdriver which I still use. As the only female I was an oddity - a joke, the group ‘pet’, the target of much laddish banter. The feeling of being a fish out of water in an alien world was exacerbated by the lack of a ladies loo or overalls in my size. I don’t put my decision not to pursue a Stem career or degree entirely down to that experience – my maths was a weak point – but it certainly didn’t help. The depressing thing is that 35 years later there is still a huge issue around attracting and retaining women in this sector.
A month or so ago I was honoured to be invited to address the Women in Work All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), chaired by the amazing Jess Phillips MP, on issues affecting women in their 50s. The APPG release an annual report advising the UK Government on policy recommendations to improve the working life of women in the UK. Find out more about its work here.
This APPG is sponsored by Assystem, an engineering company keen to attract women engineers, particularly returners or those who have taken career breaks back into the civil nuclear industry in particular to turbo charge the green energy revolution we need to combat climate change. Given that our Noon research into what drives Queenagers shows that firing up our purpose and meaning is a key part of motivating midlife women, this sounds like a good fit. And there is a significant need for experienced and technically qualified people to undertake key jobs through the energy, grid and power sectors. The sector has a significant gender pay gap which will only worsen if senior and experienced women are not retained or re-employed in today’s STEM workforce.
Vicky Proctor Assystem’s Chief People Officer in the UK said: “The simple fact is the UK economy needs more women to return to their STEM careers. Diverse and inclusive work cultures are strongly linked to innovation and excellence, and this is a standard we need to reach to build multiple new nuclear technologies on UK soil in the next 15 years.” Our Noon research finds that women 45 plus value flexibility 16 times more than traditional status. Many Stem employers are now alive to the challenges women have faced in the sector and are trying hard to provide work cultures which are more inclusive and attractive to women. Of course power isn’t the only sector looking for more female engineers - in the last few weeks I have had the pleasure of leading some Queenager groups with members of Great Western Railways and Network Rail. This traditionally male industry now has a big push around age and gender inclusion including a scheme called Never Mind the Gap run by Women in Rail.
This scheme offers women of all ages who are returning after a career break, or considering changing careers, an opportunity to experience what it is like to work for a railway company. I was so impressed with the female railworkers I met, including everyone from women in management to female train drivers and trolley staff; all exhibited such pride in working in such an essential industry.
"We highly value the experience that older individuals bring to our workplace. Their wealth of knowledge, diverse perspectives, and seasoned expertise enrich our workplace and help to create a culture of learning and innovation." Danielle Dickens, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist at Network Rail
If you are interested in finding out more… Network Rail has 194 open vacancies across the country in health and safety, project management, environment/sustainability and HR. VIEW JOBS HERE
There is also the option to work in Defence: There are 67 engineering, computer science, research, HR and admin roles in the Berkshire area, if you would like to work for AWE on critical projects focused on the safety and security of the UK. VIEW JOBS HERE
Of course if you are not an engineer and don’t have a STEM qualification then there lots of other jobs, all actively seeking older workers on the Noon Jobs Board. Come and check them out.
I am so pleased that companies such as ASSystems, Network Rail and others are now actively seeking Queenagers – it is a welcome shift from my experience of the engineering sector as a young woman. Everything we are trying to do at Noon is to make the world a more equal place for our daughters and to challenge the gendered ageism that is stopping older women getting back into the jobs market. We are delighted to be part of this initiative!
Good luck – and do tell us how you get on! eleanor@inherspace.co.uk
All the best
Eleanor
The Noon Jobs Board is powered by our partners 55 Redefined who try and help experienced workers back into employment
Eleanor's Letter: My take on #Where'sKate? It's the only question I've been asked all week
"On social media – vloggers, tiktok, insta, youtube - the rumour mill is in overdrive. Some of the #where’sKate memes are hilarious. There’s Cilla Black doing Surprise, Surprise.. memes of Kate as a ghost and as all sorts of missing persons."
Your published words; 17 March 2024.
Disappointing. Distasteful. Disrespectful.
#Gonzo Journalism?