While an estimated half a million women in the UK have the right skills and qualifications in science, engineering or technology (SET), less than a third of that figure actually work in this sector.

In attracting women to work in industry, it has been essential that companies look closely at what it is that women actually want and need, and in turn conform to those requirements. Many employers have established schemes and projects to support and advance their female employees including: mentoring and training for mentor schemes; leadership development projects; work experience placements; career break management; as well as implementing flexible, part-time and job share working.


"Historically both engineering and brewing have been seen as male-dominated professions. Here, we have actively tried to breakdown these barriers," says Clare Harrington, Resourcing Manager at Coors Brewers Ltd.

"We have worked hard at really opening up our culture, recognising the talents a diverse workforce brings. In 2007 we introduced a host of flexible benefits and working arrangements to support this initiative and to reinforce the culture we wanted to develop.

"While the flexible benefits are open to all, they have been developed so people can choose what is most important to them. The core-hours policy offers flexibility on start and finish times allowing working mothers the flexibility to work around school hours. Furthermore, there is plenty of access to female role models with female representatives in all areas of the business, many in senior or management roles, to aid employee career progression," adds Clare.

Grania Towle, who joined Coors recently, says: "I was looking for a workplace with plenty of opportunities for learning, as well as utilising my existing skills and experience. The scope for movement around the company between departments, sites, and countries, appealed to my thirst for knowledge and sense of adventure."

The impact of its initiatives at Coors has seen a positive increase in the male-female ratio with women now accounting for more than 31 per cent of its workforce.
"The culture at Coors is centred on work-life balance and career development," adds Clare.
 

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