2014 Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship winners announced, JLR continues its support for future of women in engineering

The winners of the second year of the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship have been announced as Ruby Holmes, 19, from Derbyshire and Chloe Adams-Pickford, 18, from Sheffield. The Range Rover Evoque WISE scholarship is a funding programme that is
encouraging young women to change the face of British engineering.

Selected by a panel of judges from over 100 entries, both Chloe and Ruby demonstrated an extraordinarily high level of passion and eagerness to take their first steps into the exciting world of engineering. Through a process of interviews and presentations, both young women exhibited the determination required to succeed in such a competitive field.

The scholarship will help Ruby through her Advanced Technical apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce, with Chloe using it towards her Engineering Science degree at Oxford University. As well as receiving £1,000 each per year during their studies, Ruby and Chloe will be given practical support with mentoring from senior Jaguar Land Rover engineers and WISE representatives. Chloe will also receive invaluable work experience at Jaguar Land Rover, where she will be able to engage first hand in various aspects of automotive engineering.

"Through this scholarship, I am confident that with the input from WISE and Jaguar Land Rover, I will gain some great experience and develop skills to help further my career. As a result of this opportunity, I hope to dedicate time in an ambassadorial capacity promoting more women into what is a thriving UK industry," said Chloe.

Jaguar Land Rover partnered with WISE to introduce the scholarship in order to inspire more young women to take up engineering as a career, increasing diversity in the industry. Currently women account for less than 10 per cent of professional engineers in the UK Jaguar Land Rover is playing a strong role in supporting a change in how women and girls are encouraged to consider technology and engineering careers and the subject choices or vocational pathways that lead to them. The UK needs to get 1-million more women into science, technology, engineering and mathematics to reach 'critical mass' of 30 per cent of the UK workforce.

"Last year we had an overwhelming response and we are delighted to have opened the scholarship again in 2014. Due to its success, the Scholarship has been extended this year to include young women entering engineering via the apprenticeship route as well as the graduate route into engineering. Since last year Jaguar Land Rover has seen a 2 per cent increase in the intake of female graduates alone - demonstrating the positive impact our women in engineering programmes are having on the careers of young female engineers," said Nicci Cook, Jaguar Land Rover Senior HR Manager, Product Creation & Delivery.

"Through programmes such as the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship, Jaguar Land Rover is looking to contribute to the national aspirations to double the number of women studying engineering and technology degrees at undergraduate level by 2030; boost the number of women pursuing careers in engineering and technology; and increase the number of young people studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects at age 18."

Rolls-Royce Advanced Technical apprentice Ruby Holmes added, "I am honoured to be awarded the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship. This will provide further support as I continue my apprenticeship. I am also excited to be working as an ambassador, encouraging more girls to choose amazing careers in engineering and technology."

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