New campaign challenges stereotypes and calls on businesses and educators to help normalise female careers in industry

A new campaign is urging engineering and manufacturing firms across the UK to help make women in the sector the rule, not the exception, as figures continue to show significant underrepresentation in the workforce.

Launched by In-Comm Training, the ‘I’m Included’ initiative has the backing of Enginuity and nine companies, including Adams Enclosures, Assa Abloy, Filtermist, Industrial Physics and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL).

The campaign aims to highlight stories from female engineers at all career stages, celebrate diverse roles and demonstrate how greater inclusion can help address the industry’s growing skills gap.

Bekki Phillips, Chief Operating Officer at In-Comm Training, said: “Women represent approximately 16.9% of the workforce in core engineering and technology jobs compared with 56% across all other occupations.

“This highlights ongoing underrepresentation, and we want to play our role in trying to change this.”

She added: “The overwhelming message is that we need to inspire others by proving that women in industry are the norm, highlighting all the hidden roles that are rarely seen and career journeys that are non-linear and heavily impacted by life phases, such as maternity and flexible working.”

Inspiration starts early

A launch video produced by Eleven10Creative follows a young girl playing with a Formula One car through education, early career stages and into senior leadership, culminating in a standing ovation for a female managing director, Claire Umney of Birmingham-based Alwayse Engineering.

“We all have a role to play to inspire more women to consider a career in industry, whether they are just starting out, looking to change roles or returning to work,” she said.

The campaign is also calling on men to become advocates.

Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, Managing Director of Professional Polishing Services, said: “I feel it’s important to bring men on our journey, encouraging them to be advocates and champions for what we are trying to achieve. Their voice and backing are important.”

Her message to women considering a career in engineering was straightforward: “Engineering is built by people like you.”

Businesses, apprentices and educators are now encouraged to share their own stories via social media, personal videos and industry events.