Women and girls are being encouraged to find out more about careers in industry by meeting those who are in roles in the Humber region, and hearing how rewarding it can be.
The Women into Manufacturing and Engineering careers event is taking place at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe on Wednesday from 4.30pm to 6.30pmm and is free to attend. It takes place ahead of International Women in Engineering Day on June 23.
Kirsty Clode, chair of the WiME regional initiative, said: “By meeting women working in manufacturing or engineering roles, we’re providing access to role models with a unique insight to offer to both aspiring young women and those who may be heading back to work after a break, or women who are considering a career change.
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“At our WiME events, people of all ages and backgrounds can find out what industry jobs are really like from the women who do them, as well as the different routes there are into these careers – from on-the-job training to apprenticeships and degrees.”
Organisers said that with great pay, a high number of vacancies and attractive prospects, careers in manufacturing and engineering present a wide variety of interesting and exciting roles, which play an important part in the Humber’s economy.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this event in Scunthorpe, supporting women into the manufacturing and engineering industry.
“Across the region millions of pounds of investment is creating well-paid, highly skilled jobs in these growth sectors - we are all passionate about ensuring these fantastic opportunities are available to everyone in our communities.
“I encourage women and girls across the area to come to The Baths Hall and see first-hand how they can benefit from the rewarding careers in industry on their doorstep.”
Those taking part are looking forward to the event.
Trine Thomsen, finance director and diversity and inclusion champion at Centrica Storage, said: “We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with WiME by taking part in this event. We will be bringing some of our incredible role models to talk about career options and we will be running an interactive activity and a workshop to build interview skills.”
Ellie Haddon, low carbon project engineer at Equinor, said: “Equinor is proud to be supporting this initiative to promote diversity within the energy sector and provide young people with information about the wide range of careers opportunities available to them, as well as advice on how these link to the skills they’re currently learning.
“I am particularly pleased to be personally supporting this cause because similar events that I attended as a teenager helped to shape my education and career as a low carbon project engineer, a role I find challenging, fascinating and highly relevant.”
Lauren Little, senior stakeholder advisor for the Humber at Ørsted, added: “We’re proud to support such a fantastic event. We’ve worked with WiME for several years now, and their mission is very close to my heart. At Ørsted we thrive as an inclusive and diverse workforce, and we want to encourage as many young women and girls into STEM roles as possible.”
