We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website. You can find out about our cookies and how to disable cookies in our Privacy Policy. If you continue to use this website without disabling cookies, we will assume you are happy to receive them. Close.

  • CIOB
  • BRSIA
  • IHBC
  • CIAT
  • ECA - Excellence in Electrotechnical & Engineering Services

buildings people People Wiki Diversity, social value and skills Part of Designing Buildingswww.designingbuildings.co.uk

Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Register
  • Sign in
People Wiki home
  • Site info / tools
      • Create an article
      • Upload file / image
      • Image library
      • Full text search
      • Recent changes
      • Contact
      • Help
      • About
      • Privacy policy
      • Report abuse
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Advertise
      • Cookie Preferences
  • All articles
Edit this article
Last edited 17 Mar 2023
See full history

Women's Engineering Society

WES 23 Logo banner.jpg

Contents

  • 1 2023 update
  • 2 Introduction
  • 3 Early history
  • 4 Modern day activities
  • 5 WES Annual Conference 2022
  • 6 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] 2023 update

The WES Annual Conference brings together women and allies from across all disciplines for a two day conference. The event will showcase inspiring role models and demonstrate how organisations are striving to improve diversity and empower women in engineering. For further information visit https://www.wes.org.uk/events/wes-annual-conference-2023

The draft programme is now available (please be aware timings are not confirmed and this programme is subject to change) download a copy here.

The full programme for 2023 will be available shortly in the meantime confirmed speakers include:

  • Alison Baptiste CBE, Director of Public and Security Services at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
  • Kerry Evans A55 DBFO Operations Manager, CIHT Cymru Wales Regional Representative and Trustee, Principal Highways Lead
  • Dr. Manisha Morais, Non-Executive Director | Energy Industries Council discussing Cyber Security Best Practices
  • Amy Sadro, Eversheds Sutherland Vice Secretary of the Health and Safety Lawyers’ Association and Committee member of the Women in Health and Safety Network

Workshops will cover 'Building your career' and more

WomeninengineeringWES.jpg

[edit] Introduction

The Women's Engineering Society (WES) is a charity that supports the United Kingdom’s network of women engineers, scientists and technologists. The organisation’s mission is to see “...a nation in which women are as likely as men to choose to study and work in engineering, and one in which there are enough engineers to meet a growing demand.” It was the first such organisation for women in the engineering profession.

[edit] Early history

The Women's Engineering Society was formed in 1919 as an initiative to help organise women who had worked in engineering roles during the First World War and wished to continue in technical professions. It was founded by Lady Parsons (Katharine Bethell) and six other influential women, including her daughter Rachel. Both Lady Parsons and her daughter had worked as engineers during the war and could understand the frustrations other female engineers were experiencing in the workplace.

In 1969, the Women in Engineering Year award was introduced by the Women’s Engineering Society, and in 1984 they assisted in the establishment of the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) campaign.

The Women's Engineering Society launched an annual National Women in Engineering Day in 2014 to mark its 95th anniversary. The event takes place every year on 23 June.

[edit] Modern day activities

With a focus on education, the organisation offers scholarships to candidates pursuing careers in engineering. It also has an extensive archive tracing the role of women in the engineering profession.

The Women’s Engineering Society consults with various government bodies about the progression of women in engineering. Membership of the organisation is dictated by qualifications and experience.

The Women’s Engineering Society focusses on the following areas:

  • To support members and women engineers in general.
  • To encourage women to study engineering and pursue careers in the field.
  • To promote a wider corporate view of gender diversity.
  • To represent the collective voice of women engineers.

[edit] WES Annual Conference 2022

The WES Annual Conference 2022 is on 28 and 29 April, and presents a line up of women from all industries, discussing everything from the future of energy to the invention and innovation In sustainability. It also offers the opportunity to network with women from all engineering paths.

To view the agenda and book a place please visit; https://events.hubilo.com/wes-annual-conference/register

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

  • Boardroom to building site skills gap survey.
  • Celebrating women in engineering.
  • Diversity in regeneration.
  • Diversity in the construction industry.
  • Gender pay gap in construction.
  • Inclusivity in engineering.
  • International Women in Engineering Day 2020
  • International Women's Day 2017.
  • International Women in Engineering Day 2018.
  • Interview with Paloma Hermoso, Senior Project Manager CIOB MAPM, Baker Ruff Hannon.
  • Recruiting and retaining talent in the construction industry.
  • The Retention of Women in the UK Construction Industry.
  • To attract the right talent, offering flexibility and work-life balance will be essential.
  • Why so many women leave engineering.
  • Women in the construction industry.
Retrieved from "https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Women%27s_Engineering_Society"
  • Share
  • Add a comment
  • Send us feedback

Comments

[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.


  • View comments history
Create an article
  • Follow
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Related articles

  • Boardroom to building site skills gap survey.
  • Celebrating women in engineering.
  • Diversity in regeneration.
  • Diversity in the construction industry.
  • Gender pay gap in construction.
  • Inclusivity in engineering.
  • International Women in Engineering Day 2020
  • International Women's Day 2017.
  • International Women in Engineering Day 2018.
  • Interview with Paloma Hermoso, Senior Project Manager CIOB MAPM, Baker Ruff Hannon.
  • Recruiting and retaining talent in the construction industry.
  • The Retention of Women in the UK Construction Industry.
  • To attract the right talent, offering flexibility and work-life balance will be essential.
  • Why so many women leave engineering.
  • Women in the construction industry.
  • Building People Tweets

    Tweets by BuildingPeople
    © Designing Buildings Ltd. 2025
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions

    Designing Buildings Anywhere

    Get the Firefox add-on to access 20,000 definitions direct from any website

    Find out more Accept cookies and
    don't show me this again