Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City – a Top 10 City in the UK for engineering and manufacturing employment - is making waves in the UK’s defence and engineering sectors, not just through innovation and critical national capability, but by breaking down barriers for women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
One of the businesses at the heart of this transformation is the defence company, Babcock International Group (Babcock). With over 7,000 employees based at Devonport Royal Dockyard - home to the UK’s only site licensed to undertake full-lifecycle submarine maintenance – Babcock is a powerhouse not just of engineering expertise and technology, but also inclusivity.
While engineering has historically been a male-dominated profession, Babcock is redefining the landscape. Women now make up 19.5% of Babcock’s workforce, a promising increase from last year, with 40% representation at board level and 30% in senior leadership roles. And with a bold target of achieving 30% female representation by 2030, baked into company KPIs, Babcock is not just talking about change - it’s engineering it.
Kerry Cardew, Babcock HR Director at Devonport, commented: “Babcock has an excellent range of unique career opportunities available for women in roles that help deliver our nation’s critical national defence and energy security programmes.
“We are passionate about raising awareness of the amazing opportunities STEM careers can provide and to breaking down barriers or perceptions that prevent women (and others) from experiencing a successful long-term career in defence, and developing the fantastic skills and training that come with it.”
This June, Plymouth will host the Babcock Festival of Engineering from 24 - 25 June - a vibrant two-day event at Devonport that puts Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers centre stage. With over 400 pupils expected to take part, this interactive festival - part of a wider UK series - is designed to ignite curiosity and ambition in young people, especially girls. The 2025 theme, “Breaking Down Barriers,” couldn’t be more apt, focusing on empowering women in engineering and creating inclusive pathways for disadvantaged groups.
Also on the horizon are the Devonport Open Days from July 24 - 25, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Babcock and Royal Navy operations, complete with STEM zones and science shows that celebrate hands-on innovation.
Investing in the future workforce
For Emily Taylor, who grew up in Plymouth watching frigates in the harbour, a career at Babcock felt like a natural choice. After switching from a career in accountancy, Emily completed a four-year higher-level apprenticeship in mechanical engineering and now works as a Design Change Engineer, helping modernise Royal Navy warships.
“Switching careers to engineering was a brave move, but one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Emily shared. “At Babcock, no two days are the same. There are always new projects and skills to learn. I love being part of something that really matters.”
Cheri Matthews, another rising talent at Babcock based in Devonport, transitioned from a healthcare career into the nuclear sector through the company’s accelerated training programme. Now a scheduler supporting one of the UK’s largest defence infrastructure upgrades, she proves that career reinvention is not only possible – it’s inspirational.
“I’ve always wanted a job where I could make a real difference,” Cheri said. “The training was intense, but it gave me everything I needed to step confidently into a new sector. My advice? Go for it - ask questions, stay curious, and keep learning.”
Equally committed to this mission is City College Plymouth, the South West’s only Google Reference College and a proud partner in the UK’s Institutes of Technology. Offering high-quality STEM programmes to over 12,000 students and 1,500 apprentices annually, the College is a key talent pipeline for the region’s fast-growing tech, marine, digital and engineering sectors.
Last year, City College Plymouth recorded a notable rise in female participation in STEM courses, supported by wraparound services such as financial aid, childcare support, and mental health provision through its Lighthouse Wellbeing Centre. This inclusive approach helps remove practical barriers that too often deter women from pursuing technical education and careers.
Chief Executive & Principal for City College Plymouth, Jackie Grubb, said: “With over £4.4 billion of defence investment flowing into Plymouth and initiatives such as the Freeport expanding and the launch of the Plymouth National Centre for Marine Autonomy, opportunities in marine, green tech, digital and construction industries are expanding.
“As part of this growth, City College Plymouth is developing the inspirational Civic Centre Green and Blue Skills Hub, set to open in the coming years. This future-facing facility will provide state-of-the-art training environments and offer opportunities for women looking to lead in sustainable and emerging industries. City College Plymouth and the city itself are not simply responding to the call for more women in STEM; they are driving meaningful change.”
The College also offers tailored career workshops, mentoring initiatives and international experiences, helping women build confidence and resilience in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Supporting the community
Another inspirational example to women looking for a way to benefit from Plymouth’s leading position towards progress in typically male-dominated sectors is Karen Friendship, a Civil Engineer by trade and Managing Director for one of the South West’s leading bespoke metal fabricators - Aldermans - also based in the city.
Karen is a great believer in giving back to the local community and is now a mentor and STEM ambassador. She explained: “Plymouth is a hive of innovative manufacturing companies, and with our PMG network, we foster a great collaborative working environment across the many sectors of engineering.
“From marine, defence, aerospace and the multitude of other industrial services and products we make and supply from our beautiful City. Plymouth boasts an impressive accolade as a Top 10 City in the UK for engineering and manufacturing employment, so there is no better place to break barriers in STEM.
“At Aldermans, we promote and employ apprentices, offer site visits to our factory, and each year in September, we support Make UK National Manufacturing Day. From a personal level, I believe in the power of positive role models for other young engineers and girls, just starting out, by mentoring at the University of Plymouth and offering my time at various local schools and STEM events – I believe we have the power to inspire future generations.”
Plymouth is rapidly becoming a centre of excellence for women in STEM, powered by investment, infrastructure and inclusive ambition. From Babcock’s cutting-edge defence programmes to City College’s trailblazing support for learners, to real-life experts, mentors and ambassadors like Karen Friendship, the City is united in its mission to empower more women to enter, succeed, and lead in engineering and beyond.
