According to Engineering UK, in 2023, the number of women in engineering and technology dropped by 38,000, from 16.5 per cent of the 2022 workforce to 15.7 per cent the following year. Women in engineering have made significant strides, but we can’t ignore this gender gap. Simon Farnfield, event director at Advanced Engineering, explains why supporting underrepresented groups is key to closing this gap.

Every June, we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), which honours the achievements of women engineers. It’s more than a date in the diary, it’s a reminder of how crucial women have been to our industry. Still, only 15.7 per cent of engineers being women is a tough pill to swallow.

We launched our ‘Mind the Skills Gap’ campaign to advocate for better education and training opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups. This is not without cause: According to Make UK, 62 per cent of manufacturing firms agree it will be difficult to fulfill the skills needed for 2030, and 36 per cent of current job openings have been difficult to fill due to a lack of required skills.

For the last two years, Advanced Engineering has partnered with Women in Manufacturing UK (WiM UK), a national organisation promoting women in all manufacturing job functions. Last year, the organisation alongside the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy and Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) published a report highlighting several issues.

For example, it found that little progress has been made in women’s representation in the industry and that women still earn 15.9 per cent less than men. We were proud to have WiM presenting its findings at last year’s show on the main stage.

We’re already looking ahead to Advanced Engineering 2025, another opportunity to build bridges with underrepresented groups and encourage them into engineering. The show maximises networking opportunities, introduces clients and partners, and enhances professional and personal development.

There’s no shortage of opportunities for relationship-building, with two networking lounges, drinks receptions and a show app.

Network and keep up to date with engineering innovations by attending Advanced Engineering 2025. The event is returning to the NEC, Birmingham, so book your stand or enquire at www.advancedengineeringuk.com.

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