A PEMBROKE Dock engineer, one of six female engineers shortlisted for the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards, has been captured on camera to challenge gender stereotypes in the industry.

Ellie Wilson is currently employed as an Instrumentation and Control Technician at SemLogistics, Rankin Studios, renowned for shooting everyone from The Queen, to Kate Moss, and Madonna, has released a series of portraits featuring both established and upcoming UK female engineers in a bid to break down gender stereotypes in the industry.

The series was shot by award-winning photographer and Rankin protégé Vicky Lawton and was commissioned by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) ahead of their Young Woman Engineer (YWE) of the Year Awards.

Named ‘Portrait of an Engineer’, the collection of images aim to dispel the traditional perceptions of engineers in hard hats and high vis jackets and instead highlight the diverse career opportunities available in the industry – showcasing engineering in a different light.

Shot at the prestigious Rankin Studios in London, the series of images feature this year’s award finalists as well as previous affiliates for the annual awards ceremony.

Jo Foster, IET diversity and inclusion manager, said: “There is a significant shortage of engineers in the UK which is posing a serious threat to the economy. One of the biggest challenges is encouraging women to take up careers, currently only nine per cent of engineers are female, the lowest in Europe.

“One of the difficulties in attracting women is often down to the image of engineers within the UK, which are perceived as masculine, unglamorous and usually depicts people wearing hard hats and overalls. The reality is very different. Engineering is an exciting and highly paid career. It’s diverse, creative and offers the opportunity to do something life – or even – world changing.”

The winner of the IET Young Women Engineer (YWE) of the Year Awards will be announced on December 7 at Savoy Place in London.