This will be the third time that the IOR has sponsored the event, reaffirming its commitment to promoting diversity in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry and in the engineering sector as a whole.

Stephen Gill, president of the IOR said: “‘The Institute of Refrigeration is proud to continue its support and sponsorship of International Women in Engineering Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and serves to encourage more young people and women to consider careers in engineering, or to return to it. The IOR is working to raise the profile of women engineers working within the RACHP industry by recognising the positive impact they make, and by actively promoting gender diversity and inclusivity.”

As part of its mission to promote careers in the RACHP sector, the IOR has set up a Women in RACHP networking group. The group provides a platform for young professionals looking for information on how to enter the sector and on ways to further their career. With guest speakers and experts in their fields, the events are an excellent way to gather careers advice and meet others working in RACHP.

The network’s next event will take place on 14 March and will consider the range of different career types the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector offers. Speakers will discuss their personal career paths, and heads from local schools will explain what they need from industry to help increase interest in engineering as a career choice.

With women only representing 11 percent of the workforce in the engineering sector, the UK has the lowest percentage of women engineers in Europe according to the Women's Engineering Society statistics document updated in January 2018. Compounding the issue is the fact that the industry is suffering from a chronic staff shortage; in 2017, the annual shortfall of the right engineering skills was estimated at between 25,500 (level 3) and up to 60,000 (over level 4 skills).

 It has been suggested that to cover this shortage, the UK will need to at least double the number of university engineering students, which means that attracting under-represented groups such as women is essential to maintain the sector’s sustainability.