With the constant development of new technology, smarter processes and the push for more sustainable technology and production, manufacturing is an industry full of opportunities for its current and future workforce – yet, despite this, the sector faces a looming skills gap that only seems to widen with every year.
Businesses across the board are desperately trying to attract and retain employees – with a staggering 92 per cent of manufacturing firms anticipating ‘some kind of skills gap’ in the coming years – yet women represent a majorly underutilised pool of talent in the industry.
At the end of 2024, women comprised just 26.1 per cent of the UK manufacturing workforce, with approximately 738,000 women employed in the sector compared to 1.9 million men.
This figure has begun to slightly increase year-on-year – with 25.9 per cent of the workforce made up of women at the end of 2023 – yet the UK is markedly behind in terms of progress.
The Women in UK Manufacturing 2024 report, funded by IfM Engage and Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy in support of the Women in Manufacturing UK initiative, found that among the top 15 global manufacturing leaders, the UK ranks last in terms of women’s industry participation.
The inequality doesn’t stop at gender representation, though, as the report found that women already in the workforce currently earn 15.9 per cent less, on average, than their male colleagues.
Perceived barriers – such as the gender pay gap, non-inclusive cultures, conscious and unconscious bias, and a glass ceiling to promotion – understandably stop women from even considering entering into the manufacturing and engineering spheres, and, as such, it’s up to businesses and the current workforce to actively remove these barriers.
To aid a movement to a more inclusive industry, firms could assess their current diversity and inclusion landscape to identify any gaps and opportunities for improvement, champion this change through their leadership, and promote an inclusive approach to recruitment and employee retention, for instance.
Indeed, beyond working for better …, the business case is clear: embracing diversity is key to attracting and retaining the skilled talent needed to maintain competitiveness and foster innovation, as well as inspiring the future of manufacturing to come.
Together we Engineer
Initiatives such as International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), now in its twelfth year, spotlight the outstanding achievements of women in industry, with the hope to show the younger generation that there is no gendered barriers to roles in STEM.
Ran by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), INWED champions the stories and work of women who – despite the clear inequality in their industry – love what they do, to show young girls that a career engineering is possible. This year’s campaign, ‘Together we Engineer,’ emphasises the collective need to shift the dial, and what can be achieved if everyone works towards the same goal.
Organisations such as Women in Manufacturing (WiM) – founded in 2010, and still the only national and global trade association dedicated to providing year-round support to women in the manufacturing industry – and important research such as the Women in UK Manufacturing report work to propel the conversation forward every day, while more and more businesses are committing to improving their practices.
Change is happening, but much more work is needed to not only change the statistics, but alter the cultural biases that affect industry today.
As the women spotlighted in this special edition of Machinery shed light on, manufacturing is an amazing career path for anyone – gender aside – but more visibility of women in the industry, supported by their employers and male colleagues, will lead to greater equality and a better industry overall.
INWED Profiles
Louisa Peters, Product Management TruLaser, TRUMPF
My journey into engineering was clear from early on – I studied industrial engineering, drawn to the intersection of technology, business, and people. What started as a curiosity about technology grew into a career rooted in problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration. Today, I work as a Product Manager at TRUMPF, where I help shape the future of manufacturing by bridging technical innovation with real-world applications.
Working in a male-dominated industry has come with its challenges, but it’s also created growth. I’ve learned to speak up, trust my own perspective, and that diversity of thought is a real driver of innovation.
Qualities often associated with women, such as strong communication skills, empathy and the ability to see the bigger picture, are often undervalued. Nevertheless, they can lead to smarter, more user-focused technical solutions. These skills are essential especially in complex engineering environments where collaboration is key. Today, I feel I’m not only helping to shape cutting-edge manufacturing solutions, but also a more inclusive future for engineering.
At TRUMPF, our CEO Dr. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller is a true role model to me – not only in her position as CEO, but for the way she leads with vision, integrity, and strategic thinking to shape the company. Her example motivates me to think big and stay true to my values, showing that it’s possible to drive top-level innovation while staying committed to strong principles.
I’m proud to work for a company that actively supports women in engineering – not just through words, but through meaningful initiatives, strong networks, and an inclusive culture that encourages development at every level.
On International Women in Engineering Day, I reflect not only on how far I’ve come, but how far we can go – together. To any young woman considering this path: your ideas matter, your skills are needed, and your future in engineering can be exactly what you make it. We need your voice.
Hara Konstantelia, Technical Sales Support Engineer, FANUC UK
I moved to the UK from Greece when I was 15 years old. At this time, I’d never considered a career in engineering – I played the violin to a high standard and always thought I’d become a music teacher! But at school in England, I began to really excel at maths and during a college open day, a BTEC engineering course caught my eye. I really enjoyed this so when I was 17, I gained a place on an engineering apprenticeship scheme at the MTC, where I learned about robotics, CNC and mechatronics.
My MTC apprenticeship enabled me to use robots for the first time, and this was the turning point for me – I knew this was what I wanted to do as a career. In my cohort of 36 students, only five of us were female, but I received excellent support there. I was fortunate enough to gain and continue my apprenticeship with FANUC UK, where my passion for automation and robotics was further ignited.
I’ve been at FANUC for six years now and am constantly challenged and inspired within my work. I’m currently employed as a Technical Sales Support Engineer and am working towards a team leader role. This requires me to use all the technical robotics knowledge I’ve acquired throughout my career so far while also developing my interpersonal and management skills.
As a young woman in engineering, there are times when I have to work a bit harder to be taken seriously; new customers have occasionally underestimated me and treated me like the ‘junior’, directing comments and questions to my older, male colleagues. But I enjoy proving myself and it just makes me all the more determined to succeed – they soon realise that I’m here on merit!
I support young people in STEM in a variety of ways, from helping to train, judge and mentor the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition entrants, to speaking at schools and colleges on the benefits of a career in engineering and automation. Hopefully I can demonstrate that engineering is an exciting and inspirational career path for people of all backgrounds, and not just a ‘job for the boys.’
Sadie Peacock, Engineering Manager, Renishaw plc
I am an Engineering Manager in the manufacturing division of healthcare and technology company, Renishaw.
My route into engineering was haphazard, stumbling into my first role as a Manufacturing Engineer at Renishaw in 2014 after graduating with a degree in Physics. I’d always been captivated by numerical based problem solving, however, perhaps surprisingly, I’d never considered a career in engineering before then.
If I was naive on what an engineering career entailed then I certainly had no idea what manufacturing engineering looked like, however, the job description and person expectations aligned closely with the problem solving I loved and the skills I had, so it seemed obvious to apply.
Do I think my gender means I’m treated differently? The short answer is yes, but it’s not all bad news!
It’s important to note that women face challenges in wider society (women’s healthcare, for instance), and this is evident in both the data (I’d recommend reading Invisible Women by C. Criado Perez) and my own experiences.
While I experience challenges at work (like having to prove my technical competence rather than having it assumed based on experience and job title – as would a man) relative to society I feel these are much less. Furthermore, once these initial unconscious biases and stereotypes have been overcome and a working relationship established, gender bias further diminishes. For me, my role is a safe space where I can really make a difference.
Being a woman in engineering, in what remains a male dominated industry, brings challenges beyond the technical requirements, but I believe these are minor relative to the backdrop of gender impact on society and is improving as more women join it. If you’re considering engineering as a woman – go for it. It’s a hugely rewarding career that no one (women and men alike) should miss out on!
Oana Jinga, CC&PO and Co-Founder, Dexory
I didn’t set out to work in robotics or logistics, but I’ve always been driven by curiosity and the impact technology can have on the real world. My path started in product innovation at Telefónica, followed by building strategic partnerships at Google, and eventually led me to co-found Dexory where we use autonomous robots and AI to transform how warehouses operate.
As Chief Commercial and Product Officer, I lead the strategy behind our technology, working closely with engineers and customers to turn complex problems into scalable, real-world solutions. No two days are the same and that’s what I love most.
Engineering and robotics remain male dominated industries, and while there have been moments where I was the only woman in the room, I’ve never seen that as a reason not to belong. If anything, it’s motivated me to push further and ensure more women feel empowered to do the same. Visibility matters, and the more we highlight women succeeding in these roles, the more we change perceptions.
At Dexory, we actively champion diversity, not because it’s expected, but because it makes us better. Different perspectives fuel innovation, and I’ve seen first-hand how inclusive teams make stronger decisions and build more impactful products. I also personally mentor women in tech and advocate for inclusive hiring and leadership across the industry.
My advice to young girls considering a career in STEM? Embrace your unique journey, stay true to your path, and understand the challenges you face are stepping stones to success. Don’t shy away from opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. Build and surround yourself with a supportive network, seek guidance from those who inspire you. And remember, your voice matters and the tech industry needs your perspective, creativity, and resilience.
Shalom Lloyd MBE, Founder of Naturally TIWA Skincare
The visibility of women in the workforce is paramount to shift lingering stereotypes that manufacturing, or engineering in general, is ‘men’s work.' On a very basic level, I believe that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see.’ If we want more women leading the charge in the manufacturing workforce, we have to be able to see and perceive their invaluable contributions.
For example, my Naturally TIWA Skincare workforce in our factories, which process our organic shea butter, is entirely female-led and my factory manager is a true force of nature! Being in that environment, seeing women operating machinery and leading at the forefront, that is what I want to see.
We need to ensure we spread this visibility to intelligent young women who are passionate about innovating and creating - because when you love something, it stops simply being a job and becomes a calling.
Camilla Hadcock, Chairman of Made in Britain and Director of Roach Bridge Tissues
We need to challenge outdated perceptions of manufacturing and highlight how it embraces creativity, problem-solving, and the natural aptitude many women have for making and designing.
Contrary to popular belief, women aren’t intimidated by machinery - in fact, many thrive in hands-on, technical environments. With advances in automation and robotics now handling more physically demanding tasks, manufacturing is more accessible than ever
Visibility is vital. By showcasing the incredible contributions of women in STEM, we can inspire the next generation of female talent to see manufacturing and engineering as accessible, diverse, and rewarding fields.
Only through representation can we break down the barriers and stereotypes that still persist today. In this sense, gender diversity across the sector is a critical factor in fuelling growth for British manufacturing.
Amanda Coffman, Commercial Manager at Thor Hammer Ltd
In my 20-year journey at Thor Hammer Ltd, I’ve definitely worn my fair share of hats. From starting out as an export administrator to now managing the entire commercial team, I think it highlights how women can rise through the ranks in a traditionally male-dominated industry like manufacturing.
There is this lingering perception that manufacturing is ‘dirty’ work, and I think that can perhaps put off some girls and women from joining the industry, but the truth is we’ve come a long way from the grimy factory floor stereotype.
Manufacturing and engineering are diverse, multifaceted fields that have a lot to offer, and I think that more needs to be done in an education setting to give women, not just the same access to these courses as men, but the reassurance they need by visibly showing female innovators at work.
