Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2025 

The year 2025 marks the 12th annual celebration of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), a significant milestone that reflects both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain. Since its inception in 2014, the representation of women in the engineering workforce has more than doubled, rising from just 7% to 16.9%. While this growth is encouraging, the journey toward true gender parity in engineering is far from over. 

This year’s theme, #TogetherWeEngineer, underscores the importance of collaboration across industries, disciplines, and communities. It serves as a powerful reminder that engineering is not only about solving complex problems, it’s about solving them together. Around the world, engineers, educators, and advocates united to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and to inspire the next generation of innovators. 

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in our event, with special appreciation for our exceptional speakers and panelists. These remarkable women represent some of the most talented and inspiring voices in our sector. Their stories of resilience, ambition, and impact reaffirm why this day is so vital: because visibility, representation, and support can transform lives. 

A standout moment from this year’s celebration came from Hydrasun, where Katie Wallace, a CNC Operator Apprentice at the Aviemore Manufacturing Division, shared her unconventional path into engineering. Initially pursuing a military career, Katie was forced to reconsider her future following a medical discharge. When she applied for an apprenticeship at Hydrasun, she had no prior knowledge of CNC machining. 

“I hated it at first,” Katie shared candidly. “I asked to be taken off the machines three times. Each time, I was told no. I’m so thankful for that. Now, I love what I do.” 

Katie’s perseverance and growth have been nothing short of inspiring. She was recently named Scottish Engineering’s Modern Apprentice of the Year 2025, and her story is a testament to the power of opportunity, mentorship, and determination. Her experience highlights the importance of creating supportive environments where individuals can thrive, even when the path is unfamiliar. 

As a panelist at Scottish Engineering’s INWED event, Katie joined other inspiring women to discuss how we can build more inclusive pathways into STEM. Her message was clear and powerful: “If sharing my story helps even one woman realise there’s a place for her in engineering, it’s worth it.” 

Another highlight of the day was the contribution from Natasha Kinnear of Primary Engineer, an organisation committed to embedding engineering into the heart of education. Natasha spoke passionately about the importance of early engagement, introducing engineering concepts to children in primary schools and helping them view engineering not just as a subject, but as a creative, problem-solving mindset. 

Primary Engineer’s work bridges the gap between education and industry, offering programmes that connect pupils with real engineers and challenge outdated stereotypes. Natasha reminded us that the future of engineering begins in the classroom. By nurturing curiosity and confidence in young girls, we can cultivate a more diverse and dynamic engineering workforce for the future. 

While INWED is a moment to celebrate, it is also a call to action. To truly transform the future of engineering, we must move beyond symbolic gestures and commit to sustainable, systemic change. This includes: 

• Early exposure: Introduce girls to engineering through schools, clubs, and community programmes, before stereotypes take root. 

• Inclusive education: Foster learning environments that support and challenge women, with diverse curricula, mentorship, and active bias reduction. 

• Career progression: Ensure women not only enter the field but thrive, through equitable hiring, transparent advancement, and flexible policies. 

• Visible role models: Amplify stories like Katie’s to inspire others and normalise diversity in technical spaces. 

• Engaged allies: Encourage men and leaders to advocate for inclusion and hold systems accountable. 

• Data-driven change: Track representation, pay equity, and retention to inform and drive meaningful progress. 

The future of engineering depends on the diversity of minds and experiences we bring to the table. Let us work toward a future where every woman who dreams of building, designing, and innovating knows she belongs, and is empowered to lead. 

Because together, we don’t just engineer solutions. Together, we engineer change.