A call to action to empower women in engineering: Sector groups announce intention to work together

Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, the charity dedicated to helping employers in the engineering and manufacturing sector find new ways to close the skills gap, hosted a roundtable discussion that was attended by senior representatives of organisations from across the STEM industries, including Construction Inclusion Coalition, Energy & Utility Skills, Women’s Engineering Society, Women in Sustainability Network, and Womens Utilities Network.

Chaired by Karen Boswell, who in her career as a senior leader running engineering and manufacturing businesses has passionately advocated for diversity and inclusion, the participants gathered to discuss challenges facing women in the engineering and manufacturing sector, including the need for increased gender diversity, and the issue of mid-career leavers. According to a recent study by Engineering UK, the proportion of women in engineering and technology roles has decreased from 16.5% to 15.7% in the past year, with a significant number of women leaving roles between the ages of 35 to 44.

Reflecting on this worrying trend, the participants discussed other challenges facing women in the engineering and manufacturing sector, underscoring the necessity for enhanced collaboration and the need to unite industries within the engineering and manufacturing sector. While acknowledging the unique needs of the different industries, the participants agreed to work together given the pressing need for a more unified and inclusive representation.

As such, the group agreed to collaborate on the following key themes:

Communication Campaign for Attraction:

The group aims to generate a wealth of stories from women in the sector, enriching future campaigns and developing the central content repository. Channels such as TikTok and other social media platforms, will be key to attracting young women by showcasing engaging and inspiring stories from female engineers. The group is looking for women in engineering and manufacturing to share their career stories to inspire the next generation. Get involved.  

Leadership and Culture for Retention:

The group will focus on highlighting the importance of leadership and organisational culture in retaining women in engineering roles. It aims to address the need for supportive and inclusive workplace environments that encourage women to thrive and progress in their careers. Sharing stories of successful female leaders and their experiences will promote a culture of mentorship and support within the industry.

System/Policy Changes Needed from the Government:

The group will advocate for policy changes at the governmental level to support gender diversity in engineering and manufacturing. With the General Election in early July, the new Government must support skills and education policies and systems that facilitate entry routes and career progression for women in the sector. Collaboration with policymakers will be essential to drive systemic change and ensure long-term improvements in gender diversity.

International Women in Engineering Day reminds us all that there is more to do to shift the dial and ensure that we have diverse talent joining and staying in the sector.  Only by working in collaboration can we jointly take bigger steps towards greater inclusivity and representation in engineering and manufacturing. By bringing together diverse voices and experiences, the aim is to create a supportive and collaborative environment that empowers women at all stages of their careers. Through this unified effort, challenges can be addressed and will pave the way for a more equitable and dynamic future.

Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, commented: “Encouraging more women to enter and stay in the UK engineering and manufacturing sector can play an important role in closing skills gaps. The need for more to be done to encourage this is evident, as highlighted by recent statistics. However, by recognising shared cross-industry goals and working together, we aspire to make significant strides in empowering women in engineering and ensuring their valuable contributions are recognised and celebrated.”