
by Tim Nuttall
Final preparations are under way for the return of an “inspirational” event that aims to challenge stereotypes and promote career opportunities for women and girls in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The Women into Manufacturing and Engineering (WiME) Careers Fair returns to Hull’s Guildhall on Wednesday, October 9. Open to the public between 4.30pm and 6pm, the event will offer attendees insights into a variety of career opportunities in the Humber region and beyond.
With representatives from more than 30 of the area’s leading employers including Ideal Heating, KCOM, National Grid, Siemens Gamesa, Smith + Nephew and Centrica Energy Storage, the careers fair will provide an opportunity to interact with inspirational women, employed by WiME’s industry partners, who are well- placed to share first-hand experiences and labour market information, plus details of the training and qualifications needed to access aspirational careers of choice.
Alongside manufacturing and engineering, other sectors set to be represented include renewables, digital, energy, transport, food and healthcare.
With many local companies offering apprenticeships, traineeships and a variety of live vacancies in these industries, the fair aims to promote opportunities to women and girls from a variety of backgrounds, from young women just starting to consider their futures, to those already working and looking for a new challenge.
Dr Kirsty Clode, chairman of WiME, said: “I recognise that it’s not easy to grasp the variety of career opportunities and it’s also difficult to be what you cannot see. There are amazing women working in the fantastic manufacturing, engineering, digital, construction and renewables industries here in the Humber region. You don’t always see us but we are here and we are keen to share our career stories – they are all different and exciting too.
“If you know a student, or have a female relative who isn’t sure what her next career steps could be, please tell them to come and speak with the fabulous women at our free event. We find that it makes a big difference if you can speak directly to the women already in these companies, hear their career stories and have your questions answered directly.”
At present, manufacturing contributes 17 per cent of employment in the Humber area, compared with 8.7 per cent for England as a whole. There currently remains a high demand across Hull and East Yorkshire for people with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) qualifications, which are useful in both the manufacturing and engineering industries.
Despite this demand, women still remain under-represented in these areas, which inspired the launch of WiME.
WiME is an initiative by Green Port Hull, supported by North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, East Riding and Hull City councils. The initiative has grown in strength in recent years, with a network of more than 50 local companies helping to engage with more than 4,700 women and girls to encourage them to consider STEM subjects and associated career opportunities.
To book a free place at the careers fair, visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-into-manufacturing-and-engineering-wime-hull-careers-event-2024-tickets-858750835867