Together we engineer: Celebrating women in engineering
By Jenna O'BrienJune 23, 20251 min read
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Engineering plays a vital role in shaping the world around us, from the systems we rely on to the spaces we live and work in. But while the sector drives innovation forward, gender diversity continues to lag behind. In the UK, women make up just 16.9% of engineers, a figure that shows progress but still highlights the road ahead.
International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is about recognising the achievements of women in engineering and promoting a more inclusive future for the industry. This year’s theme, #TogetherWeEngineer, reflects the power of collective progress, and the role everyone plays in accelerating equity in STEM.
At Lawrence Harvey, we believe inclusive teams bring broader perspectives, more creative problem-solving, and stronger solutions. As a specialist tech recruitment partner, we work with companies to help embed equity into the hiring process and support women in building meaningful careers in technology and engineering.
Women Engineering the Future
To mark International Women in Engineering Day, we're revisiting a conversation we had earlier this year with Amber Forrest, a Recruitment Consultant at Lawrence Harvey in Berlin. Originally shared as part of our International Women’s Day campaign, Amber’s reflections on representation, inclusion, and driving change in tech and engineering continue to resonate and feel especially relevant as we celebrate the women shaping the future of these industries today.
Amber spoke candidly about the barriers still facing women in engineering and tech, many of which, she believes, stem from how the industry is perceived. “I think the biggest barrier is getting women into the industry due to the perception that it is an unwelcoming environment where they will be in the minority, and that they will face extra challenges due to their gender.” For Amber, changing that narrative begins with visibility. “Having viable FLINTA (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans, and Agender) models in the industry show women that it is possible to succeed and follow their passions, and provide the opportunity for mentorship and encouragement.”
When asked what companies can do to create more inclusive hiring processes, Amber pointed to structural changes that ensure fairness from the outset. “Companies could ask for CVs without names or pictures, to ensure the candidates are being assessed by skill alone, and have equal representation on interview panels.”
When it comes to advice for women navigating the sector, Amber encourages a proactive mindset. “If you see effort isn’t being made to find a diverse mix of candidates, make that effort. If you hear women being spoken about in a way that is unfair, point it out. Offer your opinion, don’t wait to be asked for it!”
Empowering Equity in Engineering
At Lawrence Harvey, we know that progress doesn’t just happen on its own, it’s driven by people who speak up, create space, and push for better. By supporting the women already making an impact in engineering and tech, and helping companies build teams that reflect the world we live in, we’re proud to play a part in shaping a more inclusive future.
This International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate women like Amber, and the many others engineering change across our industry.
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