International Women in Engineering Day

Today, 23 June, marks International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), a global celebration of the outstanding work that female engineers do to shape our world, led by the Women’s Engineering Society.

INWED provides global visibility for women engineers, who remain significantly under-represented. According to 2021 statistics, women constitute only 16.5% of engineers in the UK.

To mark the occasion, two of our own brilliant engineers, Laura Emms (Digitalisation Engineer) and Emilande (Emi) Renard (Thermal Process Engineer), recently took part in a STEM outreach session in partnership with the Engineering Development Trust (EDT). Held at Winifred Holtby Academy, a secondary school in Hull near wienerberger’s Goxhill and Broomfleet sites, the session involved more than 40 girls aged 13 - 15 in conversations around engineering, carbon and the environment.

The event formed part of EDT’s Industrial Cadets pathway, a UK-wide initiative that introduces young people to STEM careers through real-world experiences. The Academy also offers students the opportunity to study an Engineering Vocational A-Level, and sessions like these are vital in encouraging girls, who remain under-represented in the sector, to consider STEM options. 

Both Laura and Emi are wienerberger STEM Ambassadors, committed to inspiring future generations and championing the visibility of women in engineering. Our STEM Ambassador programme empowers wienerberger employees to inspire the next generation, helping young people develop the skills and confidence to build successful future careers in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Watch the short video below to hear from Laura and Emi about why showcasing female role models matters: