Today is Women in Engineering Day.
Every year on 23 June, International Women in Engineering Day puts a spotlight on the brilliant work women are doing across engineering, and the doors that’s opening for the next generation coming up behind them.
It’s run by the Women’s Engineering Society, and it’s grown into a genuinely global movement, pushing for more diversity, more innovation, and a sector that works for everyone who wants a career in it. This year’s theme is Engineering Intelligence, celebrating the expertise, creativity and leadership women bring to engineering every single day.
We asked two of our female engineering apprentices, some of the women we’ve placed into engineering roles, and our Engineering Recruitment Manager, who’s been placing engineers across the North East for 15 years, a few honest questions about why they chose this path, what they’ve seen change, and where they think it’s heading.
No spin. Just their words.
‘’It fits how my brain works" - Anna Meggison, from TT2
Anna is training as a Safety, Health and Environment Technician, and she didn’t fall into it by accident.
“I chose this apprenticeship because it aligned well with my skills and ways of thinking. I am a very logical, critical thinker, have good attention to detail and enjoy problem-solving and decision-making, which fits in well with my job role.”
She’s not stopping at Technician either. The plan is to keep climbing.
“I am highly motivated to progress in this area and hope to further develop my career in health & safety in order to become a SHE Advisor, take on more responsibility and be able to specialise in risk management and auditing.”
And on the bigger picture for women in the industry, she’s clear-eyed about progress and what’s still missing:
“While the representation of women in the engineering industry is gradually improving, I am hoping to see a higher number of women working in this field, particularly in senior and executive positions.”
"The apprenticeship gave me the confidence" — Bethany Hunter, from Rosen UK
A career change brought her here. Her old retail department closed, and rather than looking for another version of the same job, she went looking for something different.
“I’ve always had an interest in mathematics and sciences, along with having good organisational skills. The apprenticeship format gave me more confidence as it would be structured and the course would suit and support me throughout my training.”
A year in, she’s already thinking about what’s next.
“There’s always something new to learn that I find engaging. I see myself moving more into the logistical and maintenance area of the warehouse. I already do PAT testing, but I’m looking at learning cable repair and more about shipment of goods abroad.”
Her take on the industry’s direction is short and to the point: “The industry is changing positively, with equal respect and opportunities for women.”
"I'm really proud to be a woman working in this industry" - Ruby Lewell, from Daikin Applied
Ruby’s route in wasn’t an easy one. After graduating, she sent off application after application and mostly heard nothing back. It felt impersonal, and breaking into the industry was harder than she’d expected.
That changed when she connected with Zenith. A year on, she’s working as a Process Engineer at Daikin Applied, helping improve and optimise manufacturing processes across design, production and quality, and she’s even worked on aligning processes at international sites.
It’s been a big year of growth for her, both professionally and personally. And she’s proud of more than just the job itself.
“I’m really proud to be a woman working in this industry. Female representation is still growing, and being part of that progress is something I value.”
What 15 years in engineering recruitment teach you
We also spoke to our Engineering Recruitment Manager, who’s watched this shift happen from the front row.
“Engineering has always been known as a male-dominated world, and for a long time the talent coming through reflected that. But over the years, it’s been lovely to see a genuine shift, more women stepping into engineering roles, growing in confidence, progressing in their careers, and bringing fresh ideas into technical teams.”
She’s particularly encouraged by what she’s seeing at apprentice level.
“More young women are choosing engineering as their starting point, and it’s brilliant to see them coming through with so much enthusiasm and potential. Many of them tell me they’re excited but also a little nervous stepping into such a male-heavy environment, and that honesty is something I really value.”
But she’s not painting a rose-tinted picture either. The barriers are still real, even if they’re quieter than they used to be.
“Many have shared what it’s been like being the only woman on the shop floor, dealing with limited early support, or facing those subtle barriers around progression and visibility that people don’t always talk about. What stands out to me is their resilience. In this day and age, many have had to work harder to be heard, to be taken seriously.”
Where we stand
Two apprentices, two completely different routes into engineering, one shared thread: they both found a place where their way of thinking actually fits.
Set against that, there’s a more sobering view from someone further into her career, who’s watched the pay gap and the progression gap stay stubborn over time. Neither account cancels the other out. Both are true at once, and that’s exactly why a day like this still matters. It’s not a victory lap. It’s a chance to be honest about how far there is still to go, and to keep pushing rather than assume the job is done.
That’s the bit we care about most. Not ticking a diversity box, but making sure the door is genuinely open and that once someone’s through it, they’ve got the support to go as far as they want to.
At We Are Zenith, we sit on both sides of this. We work with engineering employers across the North East who are hiring, and with the apprentices and candidates building their careers. We can’t close a pay gap on our own, but we can make sure more women get in front of the right opportunities, get proper support once they’re in a role, and have a genuine route through to senior positions, not just a way in.
Thinking about a career in engineering? We’d love to help you explore your options and take the next step.
