pladis UK&I - Increasing Representation of Women in Engineering

Last year, Women in Engineering was absent from the business agenda. The project team’s determination has created a UK-wide culture change movement, focussing on increasing representation of women in engineering. Representation has doubled within the year.

The engineering teams' long tenure has led to 40+ years of embedded practices. A lot of resistance has been overcome, to the point where the project team is now working collaboratively to empower teams to influence solutions.

As well as doubling representation of women in engineering, permanent changes to policy and ways of working have been made, chipping away at the perception of what a ‘good engineer’ looks like. A cross-functional committee of 11 was created, driving change across the focus areas. Up to 3k+ of factory teams have been engaged, and close alliances forged with supply chain, union and engineering leaders.

There’s a lot more to be achieved: this first year is just the tip of the iceberg. A project blueprint is being created so the model can be cascaded to other under-represented areas of the business – watch this space!