In their drive to increase the number of women in engineering, Siemens held a Women in Engineering event to find the next generation of STEM talent.

The event was held at Siemens UK headquarters in Manchester and saw 42 female university students from all over the UK attend, getting to meet inspirational women engineers who are at differing stages in their careers.

33 of the 42 students have now been fast-tracked for early career opportunities with Siemens’ Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure and Mobility divisions and include 3-month summer placements, intern development and graduate development programmes.

Other attendees have also been offered opportunities at Siemens’ Healthineers, Gamesa, and Energy divisions.

Only 24% of STEM workforce in the UK is made up of Women and Siemens want to address this gender gap with events like this working positively towards closing it.

Siemens revealed earlier this year that they want to target 50/50 gender parity for their early careers recruitment as soon as 2025. Their current figures demonstrate that 43% who enrol in Siemens graduate programmes and 36% who take up apprenticeship schemes are female.

Victoria Little, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner for Siemens, said:

“Social mobility, inclusivity and diversity are priorities for our business. As a company, we acknowledge that we need to do our bit to empower, inspire and break down some of the stereotypes surrounding a career in STEM.”

“While we have run similar kinds of events like this over the years, we’ve never attempted it on such a large scale. This was a real opportunity for Siemens to ramp up recruitment of talent and skillful young women and play a leading role in bridging the gender gap. With more than 30 participants now being considered for internship and graduate positions, it has been a resounding success.”

The event saw universities from Southampton to Glasgow making the journey to Manchester for the Women in Engineering event which was held on the 21st of October. The event saw senior engineers Sarah Black-Smith, Head of Factory Operations for Siemens Digital Industries, and Faye Bowser, Head of Energy & Performance Services at Siemens plc, sharing their inspiring career journeys. Insights were also given into what a career in engineering can look like by Siemens talented female engineers including; Natalie Gristwood and Kathryn Grimwade, from Siemens DI, and Sophie Beckingham, Marvellous Nikwocha, Yanely Jimenez, Allegria Bwitonzi, and Kelly Lo from Siemens Mobility.

Faye Bowser, Head of Energy & Performance Services Team for Siemens plc said:

“It was a delight to be able to meet the fresh wave of young female talent looking to explore a career in engineering, and reflect upon my career so far to inspire this next generation. I remember being there myself, feeling daunted and excited for what the future would be. I felt inspired and energised by seeing this group of gifted young women who I’m sure will go on to achieve wonderful things.

“As a business we need to proactively keep raising the bar. Currently only 12% of the UK engineering workforce are women*. At a time when we’re facing society’s greatest challenges such as climate change we need to harness diversity-of-thought to become a more inclusive and vibrant workforce fit for the future.”

*According to figures from Women’s Engineering Society (WES) 12.37% of all engineers are women in the UK

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