A roundtable event, hosted by Power of Women (PoW), brought together North East leaders from across engineering and manufacturing to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).
PoW led the exclusive invitation-only roundtable, sponsored by Cummins, in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF).
Hosted by Rachel Mansfield, managing director at Responsive Engineering, and organised by Rachel Skeoch, director of the Advanced Manufacturing Forum, the roundtable, at the new Waterside building at Durham University, featured open, honest dialogue between industry leaders, educators and ambassadors about one of the most urgent issues facing the sector: how to attract and retain more women in engineering and manufacturing.
Rachel said: “Engineering is, at its core, about problem solving and the best solutions come when we bring together different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
“That’s why driving diversity – including gender balance – isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s essential for progress. The roundtable sparked open, honest conversations filled with real experiences, practical ideas and a shared drive to create change.”
Although women make up nearly 48% of the UK workforce, only 16.5% of engineers and 26% of manufacturing roles are held by women, making these among the most gender-imbalanced sectors in the UK.
As the skills shortage deepens and the demand for innovation increases, building a more diverse and inclusive talent pipeline is no longer just a moral imperative, it is a business necessity.
“This event was about bringing people together to move the conversation beyond the data,” said Sophie McKenna, campaign manager at Power of Women.
“We want to create a space where industry voices can be honest about the challenges and collaborate on practical, meaningful solutions that make engineering and manufacturing in the North East more inclusive.”
The agenda included opening remarks from Power of Women, AMF and Helen Meese, Entreprenuer in Residence at Durham University, before the floor opened for a 90-minute roundtable discussion.
Key topics included, Attracting Women into Industry: changing perceptions, early education outreach, and increasing the visibility of female role models, Retention & Progression: tackling workplace culture, progression barriers, flexible working, and life-stage support and Practical Interventions: the role of peer support, industry collaboration, and how the North East can lead on gender equity.
The roundtable marked the start of a partnership and network, which aims to spark long-term collaboration across sectors and lay the groundwork for future action in creating a more balanced, innovative workforce.