International Women in Engineering Day
June 19, 2024
Hear from our female colleagues on their experiences
Despite the significant process made in the previous few years, it is estimated that only 16.5% of engineers in the UK are female, with a similarly low percentage for other roles within the wider engineering and manufacturing industries.
International Women in Engineering Day, which takes place on the 23 rd June this year, has become a platform to shine a spotlight on the women who are acting as trailblazers within the industry and inspiring future generations.
At Polar Technology, we recognise the issues of representation within the industries we operate in, and we have made significant progress in increasing our percentage of female employees, but we know there is still more we can do. To find out more about the experience of women within our workplace, we spoke with a number of our female colleagues to hear what they had to say:
Kay Bicker, Composite Technician “I’ve been at Polar Technology for six years, and I’ve seen a big increase in the number of women working here over that period. That has definitely changed the dynamic slightly within the moulded composite department, as we’ve moved away from an almost completely male environment.”
“My favourite part of my job is being able to take a product right the way through a process, from start to finish. That means that if I see a car at a show, I can have the satisfaction of knowing that I built a part of that.”
“I think the problem [of representation] is that industries like engineering and manufacturing are still gendered somewhat, and that starts at school. However, I think the increase in different kinds of opportunities, like apprenticeships for example, have given young girls another route in.”
Rosie Wilson, Trainee Quality Engineer “In my previous role, I worked in a manufacturing company in Swindon, where I was one of only two women on the entire factory floor. That can be quite daunting and sometimes your abilities and understanding are questioned, so there was definitely a sense of having to prove yourself.”
“I’m pleased to say that’s not been the case at Polar Technology, where instead it feels as if everyone is expected to arrive at the same level, regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman.”
“I think the issue is the lack of representation. Engineering was not an option that was advertised to me. However, the more women that get into the industry, the more it will be seen as an option for everyone. So, if you can’t see another woman doing the job you want, be the first to do it!”
Melody Leung, Quality Engineer “I think the first thing to say is that this is not just a UK issue, it’s a global problem. I’m from Hong Kong and there were the same prejudices there. Whilst things are definitely improving and ultimately, we are being treated the same as the men, I think it takes more dedication for a woman to get to that point.”
“So, whilst it’s good that we are getting the same opportunities now, a woman might have to do a bit more than a male counterpart in order to prove her worth.”
Iwona Opalczewska, Health and Safety Administrator “Before my role at Polar Technology, I worked in the construction industry for twelve years and I was the only woman. It was fine when I worked for my husband’s company, but then when I changed jobs, it became a massive challenge. Sometimes it felt that my male colleagues didn’t listen to me or respect my opinion.”
“That’s not been the case at Polar Technology thankfully and in our office in particular, there’s much more of an even split between men and women. I think what helps is that I’m not very ‘girly’, so it doesn’t really bother me being in a typically male-dominated environment. You get used to it over time!”
“The best part of my job is seeing the benefits of the changes you implement. People come and see me and tell me that a new policy is working or that their concerns are now being heard and acted on, and that’s very rewarding.”
“My advice to young women who might be considering a career in this industry is: Just go and do it. If you enjoy what you are doing, then there is nothing that should stop you.”
Sharon Barrett, HR Director at Polar Technology, added: “Having a more diverse workforce provides us with a greater range of talent, offering different ways of thinking, better problem solving and more creativity. Whilst diversity is not simply about gender, we did feel this was a real gap for us because the reality is we work in a sector where there is a clear gender imbalance. It has been important for us to develop an offering that is attractive to women and girls and dispel the outdated image that engineering is dull and boring.” This has led to a big focus on diversifying our workforce over the last seven years and we are starting to see the impact of that, with 40% of our trainee roles now filled by females. We also have some great role models here that new women coming into the industry can really look up to, and that’s why we know there is even more we can do.”
For more information about International Women in Engineering Day and the reasons to celebrate it, click here: https://www.inwed.org.uk/
International Women in Engineering Day, which takes place on the 23 rd June this year, has become a platform to shine a spotlight on the women who are acting as trailblazers within the industry and inspiring future generations.
At Polar Technology, we recognise the issues of representation within the industries we operate in, and we have made significant progress in increasing our percentage of female employees, but we know there is still more we can do. To find out more about the experience of women within our workplace, we spoke with a number of our female colleagues to hear what they had to say:
Kay Bicker, Composite Technician “I’ve been at Polar Technology for six years, and I’ve seen a big increase in the number of women working here over that period. That has definitely changed the dynamic slightly within the moulded composite department, as we’ve moved away from an almost completely male environment.”
“My favourite part of my job is being able to take a product right the way through a process, from start to finish. That means that if I see a car at a show, I can have the satisfaction of knowing that I built a part of that.”
“I think the problem [of representation] is that industries like engineering and manufacturing are still gendered somewhat, and that starts at school. However, I think the increase in different kinds of opportunities, like apprenticeships for example, have given young girls another route in.”
Rosie Wilson, Trainee Quality Engineer “In my previous role, I worked in a manufacturing company in Swindon, where I was one of only two women on the entire factory floor. That can be quite daunting and sometimes your abilities and understanding are questioned, so there was definitely a sense of having to prove yourself.”
“I’m pleased to say that’s not been the case at Polar Technology, where instead it feels as if everyone is expected to arrive at the same level, regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman.”
“I think the issue is the lack of representation. Engineering was not an option that was advertised to me. However, the more women that get into the industry, the more it will be seen as an option for everyone. So, if you can’t see another woman doing the job you want, be the first to do it!”
Melody Leung, Quality Engineer “I think the first thing to say is that this is not just a UK issue, it’s a global problem. I’m from Hong Kong and there were the same prejudices there. Whilst things are definitely improving and ultimately, we are being treated the same as the men, I think it takes more dedication for a woman to get to that point.”
“So, whilst it’s good that we are getting the same opportunities now, a woman might have to do a bit more than a male counterpart in order to prove her worth.”
Iwona Opalczewska, Health and Safety Administrator “Before my role at Polar Technology, I worked in the construction industry for twelve years and I was the only woman. It was fine when I worked for my husband’s company, but then when I changed jobs, it became a massive challenge. Sometimes it felt that my male colleagues didn’t listen to me or respect my opinion.”
“That’s not been the case at Polar Technology thankfully and in our office in particular, there’s much more of an even split between men and women. I think what helps is that I’m not very ‘girly’, so it doesn’t really bother me being in a typically male-dominated environment. You get used to it over time!”
“The best part of my job is seeing the benefits of the changes you implement. People come and see me and tell me that a new policy is working or that their concerns are now being heard and acted on, and that’s very rewarding.”
“My advice to young women who might be considering a career in this industry is: Just go and do it. If you enjoy what you are doing, then there is nothing that should stop you.”
Sharon Barrett, HR Director at Polar Technology, added: “Having a more diverse workforce provides us with a greater range of talent, offering different ways of thinking, better problem solving and more creativity. Whilst diversity is not simply about gender, we did feel this was a real gap for us because the reality is we work in a sector where there is a clear gender imbalance. It has been important for us to develop an offering that is attractive to women and girls and dispel the outdated image that engineering is dull and boring.” This has led to a big focus on diversifying our workforce over the last seven years and we are starting to see the impact of that, with 40% of our trainee roles now filled by females. We also have some great role models here that new women coming into the industry can really look up to, and that’s why we know there is even more we can do.”
For more information about International Women in Engineering Day and the reasons to celebrate it, click here: https://www.inwed.org.uk/
Or if you are a woman looking for a role in the engineering or manufacturing industries, click here for our careers pages: People (polartechnology.co.uk)
Through utilising solutions from MSP, our machining capabilities have gone from strength to strength.
The committee is made up of representatives from across the company and will meet once a month to discuss all health and safety matters.
To mark the occasion, we were offering an incentive for the person who cycled the furthest distance, and a bacon sandwich and hot drink for everyone who had a go
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