Dawn Fitt has been involved with Bloodhound from the beginning. She was the first person to have responsibility for the project’s education activities and then became a trustee of our charity in 2017. She was recently awarded an OBE for her services to training, inclusion and diversity in engineering, so we caught up with her to find out more.
Dawn Fitt is widely recognised for her pioneering work in championing and promoting women in engineering. Early in her career she won the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year award and has previously sat on the YWE panel for 16 years, as well as providing voluntary support with the Women’s Engineering Society and the IET.
Dawn’s career started with an apprenticeship, since when she has worked in various engineering roles before moving into the STEM enhancement and enrichment field. She graduated with a Cert Ed/PGCE from University of Bedfordshire in 2018 and is a training co-ordinator at Bedford College’s Brunel Training Centre.
Dawn with Richard Noble at a Bloodhound launch event in 2009
Firstly, congratulations on your OBE. How did it feel to receive it?
It was a huge surprise and I was somewhat lost for words! I had no idea I had been nominated, but I’m thrilled to have been recognised this way.
How did you get involved in promoting STEM?
In the second year of my apprenticeship at Froude Consine, I got involved in the promotion of careers in science, engineering and technology to disenfranchised pupils in inner city schools.
Since then, I’ve always made a point when taking on a new role to request that I have five days a year to go out and promote STEM. Interestingly, I have never had a problem with this as companies recognise that it’s good to get more young people into the engineering sector.
First and foremost, however, my passion has always been the encouragement of women into engineering, especially through the apprenticeship route. I’m also passionate about getting engineering practitioners into schools and colleges to showcase what they do and how they do it.
And how did you get involved with Bloodhound?
I was approached by the Royal Academy of Engineering to set up and run Bloodhound’s educational activities because of my obvious passion for promoting STEM and encouraging more people into engineering. Initially it was going to be for three years, but I ended up staying for seven!
Later, when Bloodhound Education was established as a charity, Kirsty [Allpress, CEO] invited me to become a trustee. Now, with my varied experience, I can provide support and guidance for the brilliant work that the project does.
Engineering processes are always changing to embrace advances in technology, which themselves are often driven by engineering, so it’s a constant cycle. Bloodhound Education is right on top of that with what it offers. Also, it engages a diverse audience, who are all welcomed with open arms. And, importantly, it not only targets young people, but also their influencers, including parents, carers and teachers.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
My father and stepfather, who were both REME [Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers] personnel, were both highly influential in my career choice. My earliest memory of an electronics workshop was going on to camp with my Dad – I was fascinated by all the components and the soldering irons.
I see my role now as about giving back. I’ve been fortunate to work for some fantastic organisations with great support from successive managing directors (and my husband!) that has allowed me to spend time alongside my work encouraging young people to think positively about all the options available to them.
And why did you choose the apprenticeship route?
I left school after studying a fairly traditional set of O-levels. My maths teacher had been giving me some one-to-one computer sessions on my ZX-81 when she discovered I was interested in engineering. Her husband, who worked for an engineering company, then helped me through the apprenticeship process as I didn’t know where to start.
For anyone applying for apprenticeships now, there are some key things I would advise:
- Look at their long-term opportunities within any companies they consider, not just the short-term.
- Ask what the company does for existing apprentices, such as getting them involved in supporting schools and colleges.
- Does the organisation offer professional registration on completion of the apprenticeship?
- How forward-looking is the company? Is it fully engaged in exploring and investing in new techniques and methodologies?
How can we inspire more students to study STEM subjects and pursue engineering?
In essence, it should be a process of ‘drip-feeding’. That includes working with schools in the early stages of education, which is what Bloodhound Education does really well. And then keep the engagement going all the way through, with input from parents, teachers, schools and even groups of schools doing activities to keep them inspired.
I also think there’s more that can be done in the Further Education and apprenticeship areas to showcase the UK’s best talent and skills, and enhance and enrich apprentices’ training and development. We need competitions and programmes that work for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) who take on apprentices, not just large businesses, and that take into account how SMEs operate on a day-to-day basis.
Any new programmes should also highlight the opportunities on offer to young people, especially as an alternative to going to university.
Do you get any spare time outside engineering?
I don’t know how to say “no”, so outside work I’m a qualified swimming official! I’ve also recently started running and swimming again and my husband drags me out mountain biking and dinghy sailing occasionally, though I’m definitely a fair weather sailor.
Dawn Fitt – Career path
Understanding how people get into engineering – or any STEM-based career – can be inspirational in itself. Here’s Dawn’s career path prior to her time at Bloodhound starting in 2008.
Left school at 16 after O-levels and chose to become an apprentice. Did a four year indentured apprenticeship followed by a year of embedding, resulting in an HNC in Electrical/Electronic Engineering. Registered as an EngTech (Engineering Technician) two years later and gained an IEng (Incorporated Engineer) after moving into project management.
Froude Consine: electrical and electronic technician apprentice; system test engineer, testing aero and marine engine test beds in house; commissioning engineer working with customers to put engine test beds into service across the globe.
Automotive Products: product engineer developing environmental tests for products in development.
Xdale Machine Tools: project engineer responsible for design and development of automotive machine tools.
AVL UK: project management of automotive sector engine test bed installation and commissioning.