WOMEN SET FAIR FOR A MORE EQUAL FUTURE
Launch of new gender equality standard for science, engineering and technology
employers
The UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, yesterday
(November 5th) launched its new gender equality award as part of its portfolio of services
aimed at promoting and ensuring the inclusion of women.
The SET Fair Standard was launched to over 100 captains of industry, business
leaders and academics at a prestigious event at London’s BT Tower where delegates
heard from leading organisations such as Halcrow and the Institution of Civil
Engineers both of which support the Standard as an indicator of good practice.
UKRC Director Annette Williams said “Gender Equality values and nurtures talent,
builds a more inclusive and diverse workforce and helps build better business
performance. Science, engineering and technology will be at the forefront of taking
the UK out of recession and women will play a key role. The SET Fair Standard
is an important initiative which will assist organisations to increase the participation
of women in these vital areas”.
Awarded at 3 levels – committed, achieving and outstanding - the SET Fair Standard
is customised for:
- corporates and large organisations
- small and medium sized organisations
- professional institutions
- research facilities and councils
- employer members organisations (such as Sector Skills Councils)
- colleges and places of further education
The Standard enables businesses and organisations to recognise and celebrate
progress in developing inclusive workplaces where women have been underrepresented
for decades.
Annette Williams concluded: “The Standard is really important for UKRC, for UK
businesses and organisations active in the SET arena but most of all of course
for women. For too long women have played second fiddle in these important areas
but I believe that the SET Fair Standard will prove to be the dawning of a new
age where both women and organisations will get the best out of each other for
the benefit of each other and of the economy. I urge all businesses and organisations
operating in our arena to contact UKRC to find out about the work we do and to
sign up for the SET Fair Standard’.
ends
Notes to editors:
PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
1. For further information call Malcolm Davies at UKRC on 01274 436485
2. Visit the UKRC web site – www.ukrc4setwomen.org – to find out more about the work of UKRC and specifically The SET Fair Standard.
3. Organisations which piloted the Standard were Halcrow, Card Geotechnics, Bradford
College, The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and The Science and Technologies
Facilities Council
