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Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day: Empowering the Next Generation
Today marks the 10th year of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) – a day in which we are asked to reflect on the persistent underrepresentation of women in engineering professions and the need for collective efforts to bridge the gender gap.
At Scitech, we are committed to making a tangible impact by increasing the presence of women in our engineering workforce and fostering an environment of empowerment and inclusivity.
Addressing the Gender Imbalance
Current statistics reveal that globally, only 16.5% of engineers are women. This is a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead. INWED provides a vital platform for women engineers to gain visibility and recognition in their fields. At Scitech, we recognise this disparity and actively work to address it within our organisation and beyond.
Notably, Just five years ago women made up only 10% of our engineering colleagues. Today, we are proud to report that we have increased the representation of women in our engineering workforce to an impressive 22%. This substantial growth is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters innovation and empowers all employees to thrive.
Within our organisation, women have risen to prominent positions and become role models for aspiring female engineers. Nicola Hale, our Design and Engineering Director, brings a wealth of expertise and experience to her role. Her leadership inspires and paves the way for other women to reach senior positions within the engineering industry.
Furthermore, we are proud to have two engineering teams led by female managers who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills. Their accomplishments reflect our commitment to empowering women and fostering an environment where everyone’s unique perspectives and contributions are valued and embraced.
Inspiring the Next Generation
At Scitech, we firmly believe that inspiring and empowering the next generation of women in engineering is paramount. Our female engineers are passionate advocates for STEM careers, and they actively engage with young girls through career days at schools, colleges, and universities. By sharing their own experiences and showcasing the wide range of opportunities available in the STEM field, they encourage young women to pursue their passions fearlessly and pursue rewarding engineering careers.
Hazel Hatley, Process Engineer, is a passionate advocate for encouraging more girls into engineering and a regular participant in our outreach events. She said: “Empowering girls to pursue engineering is about unlocking their potential and creating a world where their innovative ideas and contributions can shape our future. By breaking down barriers and providing opportunities, we can create a diverse and inclusive engineering industry that thrives on the unique perspectives and talents of all. With so many challenges facing us over the next 50 years, every thought and idea is vitally important – and women will be a critical part of the solutions created. We need to inspire the next generation of girls to be a part of engineering a world where anything is possible.”
Emma Dawas, our HR Manager, added: “As a business we are constantly working to improve the gender balance in engineering. It’s not just about attracting women to apply for our engineering roles through our enhanced family friendly policies. Or enabling colleagues to work flexibly or buy additional holidays to cover school holidays or even supporting those returning from a career break. It’s also about attracting the next generation into engineering to bring fresh perspectives and unique problem-solving approaches that will result in innovative solutions and a better world for us all.”
Diversity fuels innovation
As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, Scitech stands at the forefront of driving positive change within the engineering industry. We continue to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering, fostering a workplace that values diversity, empowers all employees, and encourages collaboration to drive innovation. Let us continue to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and work towards creating a brighter and more equitable future for all.
#INWED23 #EmpoweringWomeninEngineering
