Bridging the Gender and Skills Gap: Smart Manufacturing Week Drives Inclusive Engineering

12 March, 2025

For over 40 years, WISE has worked to increase the number of women in STEM careers, helping businesses foster more inclusive environments to facilitate this. A key focus of their efforts is ensuring that school-age girls are aware of the opportunities available to them in these fields. Recognising the importance of early engagement, this year’s STEM programme at Smart Manufacturing Week has been expanded to include school-age students, reinforcing the synergy between the two organisations.

Katherine Watson of WISE, said of the collaboration: “We work with organisations across STEM to improve gender equity and Smart Manufacturing Week gives us a fantastic platform to reach both industry leaders and young people. The earlier we can get in front of students and open their eyes to STEM careers, the better.”

WISE operates a membership model, supporting businesses and institutions in making their workplaces more inclusive. Their outreach efforts, among many others, include a digital platform showcasing over 1200 female STEM role models, “It’s all about showing young people that there’s a place for them in STEM, regardless of background.” explained Katherine.

Smart Manufacturing Week’s modern and engaging approach to manufacturing complements WISE’s mission. “There’s still a perception that engineering is all about physical strength, grease and overalls but Smart Manufacturing Week showcases the true digital reality of the industry in the modern world.” Katherine said. By actively working to disrupt this outdated image, Smart Manufacturing Week helps highlight the dynamic and creative side of manufacturing and engineering.

In addition to working with WISE, Smart Manufacturing Week has also forged a strategic partnership with the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), an organisation with a long history of advocating for women in engineering. Founded in 1919, WES has been at the forefront of efforts to create an industry that reflects the diversity of society and is dedicated to tackling the gender diversity disparity within engineering fields.

Susan Robson MBE, CEO (Interim) of WES emphasised the importance of connecting industry with talent: “We know that the engineering sector faces a significant skills gap and fostering innovation is crucial to tackling global challenges like climate change and productivity. Through Smart Manufacturing Week, we aim to bridge the gap between industry and female talent, ensuring that women not only enter engineering careers but also thrive in inclusive workspaces.”