Speech by Minister for Education and Science, Noel Dempsey TD at the Launch of the Role Model project(28th May 2003)

I am delighted to launch the CD ROM, Role Model Profiles- exploring opportunities for women in science, engineering and technology, and I would like to congratulate WITS for undertaking this initiative, which is very timely, as it deals with two major topical issues: the issue of the increasing importance of science and technology in our society, not just in terms of their increasing importance for our economic growth, but also because of their increasing relevance in our daily lives. The second issue is the one of the need to increase the number of females taking science and technological subjects in schools.

The strategy of using role models has been found to be a highly effective means of communicating with young people and I would like to thank all of the women who were prepared to become involved in the project. Their enthusiasm for their subject and their willingness to communicate that to young people is to be commended. In describing their jobs as they do in the CD, they bring a reality and a human dimension to many careers that are perceived by many girls to be distant, dirty, boring and in some cases exotic and out of their reach.

The forty careers included in the CD- ROM range from astronomy to forensic science and from aerospace to sound mixing, and combine personal experience with information about a wide variety of interesting and rewarding careers in Science, Engineering and Technology. When used in schools, girls will learn about the range and variety of careers available in the science, engineering and technological fields and they will see that there are women working in all of these areas, and, I am sure it will encourage more of them to include some of these careers in their career investigation projects.

A recent study carried out by the ESRI on science subject take- up in second level schools (Who Chooses Science? Subject Take up in Second -Level Schools- published by Liffey Press) raises some important related issues. The importance of junior cycle subject choices would seem to have greater long term effects than previously accepted. The finding that subject take -up in junior cycle remains influential in terms of subsequent choices, and that student attitudes and occupational aspirations at age 14 have a strong relationship with subsequent educational choices, - and the finding that there is relative stability in student occupational aspirations over the period from 14 to 18 years of age, - must be considered carefully by all those engaged in post-primary education and especially by parents. It would seem appropriate therefore, to include the Role Model Profiles in the guidance programmes for junior cycle students.

The issue of the under representation of women in scientific, engineering and technological careers has been highlighted in recent years in a number of reports and by a number of organisations, not just in this country but at European Union level. Considering the impact of science and technology on the lives of women, in every aspect of their lives, it is essential that they contribute to, and bring the perspective of women to the design and development of the world in which they constitute half of the human population.

In terms of our economic development, the current prediction (ESRI/FAS) is that there will be above average growth in the numbers working in science and engineering related occupations by 2015, with the number of engineering and science professionals expected to increase by over 80% and the number of technician level workers expected to increase by 75%.

In order to prepare for the challenges that these predicted figures will pose, I am setting up a Committee to advise me on the policies, strategies and actions which might be adopted and undertaken in the short and long term, to redress the current situation by increasing the uptake by girls of science subjects at second level education. I will also be asking the Committee to advise me on policies, strategies and actions required to increase the number of women choosing Science, Engineering and Technology courses at third level. I propose to invite WITS to be represented on the Committee. The Committee will also include representatives from other relevant bodies as well as from the partners in education.

Since its inauguration in 1990, WITS has been a major player in the promotion of Science, Engineering and Technology for women in this country. My Department has had an association with WITS since its inception, and I would like to acknowledge its co-operation with the work of the Equality Committee, -now the Gender Equality Unit-, throughout the years. I would like to assure WITS of my Department's continued support for its valuable contribution to the promotion of science and technology for girls in schools and for the promotion of SET for women in third level institutions.

Once again, my congratulations to everyone who participated in the Role Model initiative, the role profiles will provide guidance counsellors with a valuable resource to be included in their guidance programmes.
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