Mansfield Pollard’s managing director Joanna Robinson (pictured right) is supporting the 2016 National Women in Engineering Day on 23 June by sharing the ways in which she promotes the industry to the next generation of female engineers
In the UK, just nine per cent of engineers are women and Joanna is working hard to address this imbalance, but recognises that there is much more to do.
Since her appointment as MD Joanna has worked hard to build relationships with key people and influencers within the industry as she feels very passionate about introducing and promoting engineering as a worthwhile and rewarding career. Her passion was recognised and she became the first female member and vice-chair of the BESA Ductwork Executive Committee.
BESA also have an agenda to promote women in engineering and Joanna is set to be the face of that campaign.
As one of the few women in the industry, she believes that she has a responsibility to promote career opportunities for both sexes and hopes that her example inspires other women to choose to pursue careers within the industry. Manfield Pollard believs it is vital to promote careers in engineering to young people as engineers are desperately needed to fill the skills gap.
The company partners with educational establishments to explain that the profession works with cutting edge technologies and has excellent career prospects in an expanding market, for men and women alike. Joanna and other members of the team visit the youngsters to share the message that manufacturing offers a rewarding long term career path and exciting and challenging work on a diverse range of projects.
Most recently, the company has established a strong working relationship with Skipton Girls High School, an all-girls engineering academy that sees their students mentored by engineers from Mansfield Pollard, a process which provides benefits for both parties. The business continues to have strong links with Bradford College, from where they have recently recruited their first female apprentice who is studying electrical engineering.
Joanna said: 'The extreme shortage of women engineers in the UK, less than 9pc shows that engineering is still a male dominated career with little diversity. A major part of my role is to educate and inspire young women, and to break down gender barriers by encouraging and supporting them to consider engineering as a profession.
'The industry can provide a long term career in a diverse and exciting sector where you will be welcomed and encouraged to succeed. I want to promote the fact that through hard work and determination you can progress through the ranks and make a difference in business.'