A Chelmsford technology firm celebrated National Women in Engineering Day by hosting an interactive event at its Chelmsford facility for schoolgirls.

Over 40 schoolgirls were treated to a host of activities on the day at E2V in Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, including talks from female employees about their experiences as female engineers and some interactive ‘have a go’ sessions.

The girls were able to test their engineering abilities by carrying out quality checks on state-of-the-art imaging sensors which are used in space missions, as well as building intricate product parts which go into life-saving radiotherapy machines.

Heather Rolls, Vice President of Engineering in RF Power, said: “It was a great pleasure to have the girls here today.

"As one of the largest private employers in the county, we feel that there is an opportunity for us to encourage girls into a career in engineering.

"We hope that by hearing first-hand from our female engineers and attempting some of the engineering tasks themselves, they will have a better understanding of what this career entails and how exciting and rewarding it can be.”

Nationally only 6per cent of engineers are currently female -  e2v’s female employees make up 29per cent of the current workforce, of which over 21per cent are engineers and technicians.

Heather added: “e2v really is leading the way in employment of female engineers, however across the country, there is a lack of female engineers.

"We are actively looking to encourage girls to think about engineering as a future career through events such as this and maybe they will even join us at e2v to help us in bringing life to technology.”