30% female engineers by 2030: is it achievable? Interview with Kathy Baig
Kathy Baig, President of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, is well aware of the under-representation of women in engineering: “We’re one of the last professions that hasn’t reached the 50% mark for women,” she tells us. We asked her about her action plan.
Engineers Canada’s “30 in 30” goal is ambitious: to have 30% women among new engineers by 2030. The Canadian average is 18%, but some provinces are ahead of the game, such as Yukon, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Quebec has a long way to go. Only 15% of members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec are women. The decision to adhere to the “30 in 30” objective must therefore be accompanied by an action plan. We went to meet Ms Kathy Baig, President of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec since 2016.
Launch of the “Ambassadrices” program
“Secondary 2 or 3 is a key moment,” explains Kathy Baig, ”it’s in these years that girls decide whether or not to go for strong science and math subjects.” To convince them, from November 2019, the Ordre is launching the “Ambassadrices” program: female engineers will visit secondary schools to present the profession. More than 320 ambassadors have volunteered to take part, and the goal is to visit over 200 schools across Quebec.
Introduction of a mentoring program in 2020
At university level, the Order will launch a mentoring program in 2020. “Female students will be able to be mentored by female engineers on the job market. In this way, we hope to reduce the number of drop-outs,” believes Kathy Baig. It will also be an opportunity for young female engineers on the job market to have women to turn to if they experience certain issues.”
After all, many women are leaving the profession. According toan American study, almost half of women who graduate in engineering will subsequently leave the profession. However, those who stay are satisfied.
Women engineers are happy in the workplace
The OIQ conducted a survey to find out how women working in engineering feel, and whether there are any areas for improvement. “The result shows that over 80% of women are happy in their engineering workplace,” confides Kathy Baig. And 87% of women would recommend the engineering profession to their young daughters or sons”. The reasons for disenchantment, which are still being analysed, are mainly linked to a lack of recognition and work/life balance.
Inclusive writing rejected by members
The Ordre’s logo has just been changed. Why not use the inclusive script: ingénieur.e.s? “We conducted focus group tests with men and women,” explains Kathy Baig, ”and surprisingly, it didn’t go down so well. We came to the conclusion that it was best to stick with the current name.”
However, other organizations have taken the plunge:
