Celebrate International Women in Engineering Day 2024 with us. Bellrock apprentice, Chloe, shares her perspective on what it’s like for young women getting into engineering today.
Enhanced by engineering. The theme of this year’s International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) celebrates women whose work supports lives and elevates livelihoods. Bellrock women are busy with this work every day, their careers spanning vital life-enhancing sectors like healthcare, education, and government. Of course, those careers have to start somewhere.
Chloe Cox, apprentice electrical engineer, is starting her own professional journey with us right now. But her love of engineering began long before she joined us. In her own words:
“My dad inspired my career. Even when I was only young, I always wanted to help him out with all his jobs around the house. I’ve always worked better practically, and I love to get my hands stuck in. Getting into a trade was right for me.
Now, a typical day at Bellrock has me doing hands-on work whenever it’s possible. I like to stay busy, and working alongside helpful and respectful colleagues makes things so much easier. Even when I’m not getting stuck in, I’m observing and learning and understanding new things on a daily basis. I’m getting the guidance to be the best engineer I can be.”
So far, Chloe’s work has taken her across our pub and hotel clients. She’s been handling reactive engineering for the likes of Greene King and Mitchell and Butler. The benefits of more women working in these previously male-dominated spaces are already clear to her:
“Having more female engineers in our business, and in the trade sector, creates more career paths for females. There are more positive examples for girls who are still unsure. They get to see they can do what they love, and be understood better. More communication from businesses, more advertising aimed at getting females into the engineering sector would really help.”
Success stories inspiring a new generation of female engineers
INWED is so significant because it lets young women like Chloe hear more stories from women who drive engineering forward. In an industry that’s still only around 16.5% female, this event shows apprentices, students, and junior colleagues what’s really achievable.
Started in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), INWED is the only platform of its kind in the UK. Now entering its 11th year, the event’s rapid growth has been impressive. It received UNESCO patronage in 2016, and went global the year after. Across last year’s event:
- Over 200 global media stories provided coverage
- More than 100 events were listed on the dedicated website
- 250+ photos were added to the INWED gallery
All that engagement translates into a vibrant conversation surrounding the best, brightest and bravest women in engineering. At a time when the UK sector faces looming skills gaps, diversity and inclusivity have never been more important. Initiatives like INWED are a tangible driver for stronger long-term economic growth.
Our role in balancing the engineering sector
Bellrock have long embraced this philosophy. We’re proud to invest in the future with apprenticeships like Chloe’s, but this year’s theme particularly resonates with our work. Through our colleague’s efforts, so many lives are being enhanced by engineering.
Whether we’re facilitating better experiences in retail and leisure, or pushing efficiencies in healthcare and education, we’re improving day-to-day life. But no two lives are the same. Our vital work can only happen when we fill the room with as many opinions and perspectives as possible.
By listening to these voices, we ensure that people (all people) will always be what drives our success. There’s still a way to go until the engineering sector finds the proper balance. But with promising careers taking off every day, young women like Chloe represent the future. And the future is bright.
