As an engineering project delivery company based in the Wirral, North West, Concept Projects Group is proud to join the global celebration of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). This annual event aims to raise awareness about the significant contributions of women in the field of engineering and inspire the next generation of female engineers. In this blog post, we delve into the significance of INWED, its impact on project delivery, and feature an insightful interview with one of our accomplished female staff members.
What is International Women in Engineering Day?
INWED is an international awareness campaign organised by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). It gives women engineers around the world a profile when they are still hugely under-represented, with 2021 figures indicating that in the UK only 16.5% of engineers are women. As the only platform of its kind, INWED plays a vital role in encouraging more young women and girls to take up engineering careers.
The Importance of INWED in Project Delivery
In the dynamic world of project delivery, diversity plays a crucial role in driving innovation, creativity, and success. Firstly, the participation of women brings unique perspectives and fresh ideas to engineering projects. Secondly, it fosters an inclusive environment that encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and excellence in project management. By recognising and supporting the achievements of women in engineering, we create a culture that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all in the industries we work in.
Introducing Emma Furfie, Strategy & Sustainability Co-ordinator at Concept Projects Group
As part of our commitment to celebrating the achievements of women in engineering, we sat down with Emma Furfie, an accomplished Strategy & Sustainability Co-ordinator at Concept Projects Group. Here is what she had to say:
How did you first become interested in engineering, and what motivated you to pursue a career in this field?
I loved science at school, but going to an all-girls Grammar school when I did meant that engineering and apprenticeships weren’t discussed as career options. I knew I wanted to do something practical, and I enjoyed finding out how things worked, so I went to my local career office for advice. It was between engineering and nursing in the end. All credit to nurses, but I couldn’t deal with the emotional and more grisly side of nursing, so I knew engineering was the best option for me. I looked in the local newspapers (no internet then!) and applied for 5 apprenticeships. At that time going to university wasn’t possible for me so an apprenticeship where I could get practical experience, qualifications, AND be paid looked fantastic!
As a woman working in a predominantly male-dominated industry, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
I was 16 when I started work so that is a huge step for anyone – male or female. As a female engineer though, there has been a lot of prejudice – one apprenticeship I was interviewed for, the man interviewing me asked me how many children I intended to have! Another company didn’t have any female facilities for shopfloor employees, only for office staff. People assume you’re not strong enough for physical work, so you always feel like you’re having to prove yourself. I’ve found my opinions being dismissed, and then the same opinion from a male colleague being accepted. It’s frustrating but you need to persevere, not give in and don’t be afraid to speak out against discrimination. It helps to network with other women engineers, so you know you’re not alone – one of my oldest friends is an engineer too so we have been through very similar experiences and that definitely helps if you need to vent your frustrations.
Can you share some memorable experiences or achievements during your time in the engineering industry that you are proud of?
I’m proud to have been involved in delivering some amazing things – helping build a new personal care factory, leading projects building power generation units, and delivering environmental projects to minimise water usage and leakage. What I’m most proud of though is having talked to young people in schools and at STEM events to share my experiences of how great engineering is, particularly about being a woman in engineering, and encouraging girls to consider engineering as a career choice.
What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in engineering?
Engineering now isn’t seen as a male-only environment. I have had the most amazing time being an engineer, especially having done an apprenticeship. I would always recommend that combination of practical experience and qualification – everyone should look for that combination as a good basis for their career. Always keep learning, every day is a learning opportunity!
What are you most looking forward to about the future?
I’m currently studying environmental engineering as I think this is hugely important for the future of the planet. Being able to play a role in improving the environmental impact of our projects at Concept Projects Group makes me so hopeful for the future – all small actions help when we are facing the huge environmental challenges in the world today.
On Women in Engineering Day, what message would you like to share with fellow female engineers and aspiring professionals?
Being an engineer has been so fulfilling for me because I have loved being able to build factories and fix or improve processes and machinery. I’ve had such great experiences and worked with amazing people. Be brave enough to follow this path if it’s what you choose, and don’t let anyone tell you that being a woman means you can’t be an engineer!
Conclusion
At Concept Projects Group, we embrace International Women in Engineering Day as an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in our industry. By promoting gender equality and encouraging young women to pursue careers in engineering, we build a stronger, more innovative future for our industry and the communities we serve.
Contact us today to learn more about our engineering capabilities in the manufacturing and construction sectors.
