Young females who have a degree of interest in pursuing a career in engineering have been told that their progression in the industry could be funded by Land Rover and the charity Wise. The two bodies have joined forces to set up a scheme in which girls can apply for a £9,000 bursary that would help them through their studies of STEM subjects. In total, three female students will be awarded the sum in a bid to ensure they have everything they need to secure a degree in engineering or an apprenticeship. As well as the money, Land Rover and Wise will ensure plenty of help and support is on hand, with senior engineers from the car manufacturer due to deliver expert advice. Funding will come from the 2012 MacRobert Away, which Land Rover won for its work with the Range Rover Evoque. Nicci Cook, senior HR manager at Land Rover, told the Manufacturer: "Land Rover has a proud tradition of encouraging diversity in the workplace. Engineering is at the very heart of our business and we rely on a broad range of talents to give us a competitive edge and help us move forwards. We hope that the Range Rover Evoque Wise Scholarship will inspire a new generation of women in engineering." As things stand, only 13 per cent of all engineer undergraduates in the UK are female - and this is something Land Rover has admitted it is keen to change. Indeed, a recent report suggested the country needs to double the number of engineering graduates and triple the total taking apprenticeships in this area by 2020 if it is to keep up with industry demands. The bursary scheme was launched by Zara Phillips in May, and she said at the time that the UK has a rich heritage of women taking on engineering jobs. For instance, her own grandmother, the Queen, once worked as a mechanical engineer in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, underlining her credentials in this area.
Land Rover aims to encourage female engineers
