Faces of STEM at Automation UK

At Automation UK in Coventry, Enginuity brought together a powerful panel for Faces of STEM: Seen to Make a Difference - a bold conversation exploring why representation, retention, and allyship are essential to the future of engineering and manufacturing.

Hosted by Fiona McGarry as part of Enginuity’s 365 Faces of STEM campaign, the panel featured three dynamic voices from across the sector - Olivia Lane, Mechatronics Engineering Apprentice at Amazon, Nicole Ballantyne, Head of Customer Success at Eyelit Technologies and Patrick Murray Whitham, Programme Manager at Equal Engineers.

The panellist shared honest reflections on their journeys into engineering and manufacturing, and the systemic changes needed to ensure women not only enter the sector, but thrive in it.

Retention is key

While the sector is aiming for 30% women in engineering by 2030, data shows a downward trend. From 2022 to 2023, 38,000 women left engineering and tech roles, with the steepest drop among those aged 35–64. As Fiona noted, “We fought so hard to attract talent. Why are we losing it?”

Nicole’s story echoed this challenge, despite a strong career in engineering and manufacturing, inflexible SMEs made staying in the sector difficult. She shared: “I loved flying around the world, starting new operations – it was fantastic. But then I got pregnant, and being the only woman in the organisation, it was really hard. I felt really guilty.”

Her path highlights the importance of flexibility and support, especially for mothers, all of which are key to retaining women.

Representation changes perception

For Olivia Lane, representation was transformative. “As my dad worked at a brewery when I was growing up, I thought engineering meant smelling like beer and lifting heavy things, until I saw what it really looked like at Amazon,” she said. Now completing a Level 3 apprenticeship, she advocates for more real-life exposure to the sector and equal value for all apprenticeship routes.

But Olivia’s journey also highlights the struggles women face in a male-dominated workplace: “I have to continuously advocate for myself, my skill level and the progress that I've made. I feel like it's overlooked quite a lot, especially my opinion both in everyday conversations and technical conversations at work, I have to continuously put myself out there and advocate for my own ideas because they are overlooked.”

Her response to this highlights the importance of supporting and celebrating women pushing boundaries and advocating for the sector, as well as having a supportive network of allies in the workplace.

Allyship isn’t performative

Patrick underscored the importance of allies and mentors, especially those who actively advocate for talent behind closed doors. He said: “It’s so important for women to have sponsors, and people who advocate for them to be in better positions and to get the recognition they deserve. Real allies continue to speak up when you’re not in the room.” he said.

With only five of the 59 speakers at the event being women, the message was clear: performative allyship is not enough. Inclusion must be intentional.

Seen to make a difference

Launched on International Women’s Day 2025, over 365 days Enginuity pledged to share the stories of remarkable women and their allies who are shaping the future of STEM as part of the 365 faces of STEM: Seen to make a difference campaign.

From their everyday contributions to groundbreaking achievements, these role models prove that inspiration comes in many forms. By leading honest conversations like this, Enginuity is helping reframe who belongs in STEM, and more importantly, why they stay.

Want to get involved in 365 Faces of STEM? This is your chance to be seen and showcase the diverse faces behind the everyday contributions driving our sector forward. Nominate yourself or someone else today.

Explore 365 Faces of STEM