30 by 30

Engineers Canada is working to increase the representation of women within the engineering field through its 30 by 30 initiative. This initiative has a goal of raising the percentage of newly licensed engineers who are women to 30 percent by the year 2030; currently this figure is at 17.0 percent, and has held steady at this rate over the last three years. Thirty per cent is universally held as the tipping point for sustainable change--reaching 30 by 30 will help drive the shift in the overall membership of the engineering profession as more and more women continue to enter the profession.

30 by 30 has received national support across all provinces and territories. Engineers Canada collaborates with engineering regulators and other stakeholders to facilitate a national vision on this issue. Whether it is in academic programs, places of employment or other areas, Engineers Canada seeks to work with or recognize organizations that make significant progress in increasing women in engineering.

Universities

Undergraduate engineering programs are contributing to 30 by 30 by having specific initiatives in place to increase the percentage of women among their students or by already having women account for 30 per cent of their first-year students. A few examples include:

• University of Toronto: Women now account for 40.1 per cent of first-year students in U of T engineering programs—a record for the Faculty and a number that surpasses all other Ontario universities.
• University of British Columbia: Nearly three out of 10 students in UBC’s first-year engineering programs are women and UBC Engineering has set a goal of 50 per cent female enrollment by 2020.
• York University: The Lassonde School of Engineering launched a $1.5 million-challenge to become the first engineering school in Canada to reach a 50:50 gender balance.
• University of New Brunswick: Engineering at UNB is adopting admission practices that are welcoming to all qualified women applicants to allow them to enter into any engineering discipline of their choice.

Engineering regulators

Engineering regulators have taken a number of steps to increase the number of women in the engineering profession:

• Engineers Canada and each regulator has assigned a dedicated 30 by 30 champion
• Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba has formally adopted 30 by 30 as one of their organizational objectives
• Engineers Nova Scotia’s annual “Spotlight on Innovation” event highlights the work and achievements of its female members
• APEGNB hands out five Inspirational STEM teacher Awards to K-12 educators that inspire the next generation of students
• APEGBC has developed a set of Human Rights & Diversity Guidelines for its membership

30 by 30 Champions

Resources and links of interest

• 30 by 30 Guide Download the Guide for actions you can take to contribute to this important objective, or refer to the 30 by 30 Brand Guidelines
• Canadian Engineering Regulators Provincial and territorial regulators offer many varying programs from outreach to professional development for audiences ranging from their members to students and the community at large
• Canadian Academy of Engineering An independent, self-governing non-profit organization through which Canada’s distinguished and experienced engineers provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance to the country.
• EngineerGirl An outreach site brought to you by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) to bring attention to the opportunities that engineering presents for girls and women
• Society of Women Engineers A US-based organization dedicated to the success and the achievement of full career potential of women in engineering.  SWE’s website offers valuable information and resources.
• WINSETT Centre The WinSETT Centre aims to encourage, retain and advance women in science, engineering, trades, and technology (SETT) careers through partnerships, delivering leadership workshops, and promoting women as role model and mentors.