ICE and Girlguiding complete UK rollout of engineering badge

The Institution of Civil Engineers has completed the national rollout of its Girlguiding civil engineering badge, with the programme now reaching Anglia, the Midlands and south-west England in the final phase of a UK-wide expansion.

The badge programme, developed in partnership with Girlguiding, invites Guides aged 10 to 14 and Rangers aged 14 to 18 to complete at least two hands-on civil engineering challenges. Activities include building bridges from chocolate bars, constructing towers on jelly to explore how ground conditions affect foundations, and responding to simulated emergencies involving water systems and shelters for vulnerable communities.

The latest expansion follows earlier rollouts across Northern Ireland, Wales, London and the south-east of England, Scotland, and the north of England. To date, more than 15,000 badges have been awarded nationwide. The programme connects local Girlguiding units with practising civil engineers who volunteer through the ICE's STEM Ambassador network to support and lead sessions.

The impact data has been striking. Surveys showed that interest in civil engineering careers among participants rose from 17% before the activities to 83% after, suggesting the programme is materially shifting how young people see the profession as a realistic career option.

Katherine Etheridge, Regional Director for ICE South East England, noted that the partnership is giving girls "a real taste of what working in civil engineering could look like." The programme addresses the long-standing gender imbalance in engineering, and the completion of the national rollout represents one of the ICE's most substantive community engagement milestones in recent years.