Combating engineering gender inequality

The UK is already in a clear engineering skills deficit and in desperate need for talent to complete current nuclear projects and remain competitive.

Assystem recognises the current imbalance in numbers between men and women in the engineering sector, especially in senior leadership positions and is determined to drive the movement forward. Ensuring that the industry is collectively working towards enhanced equal opportunities; better supporting industry talent, while driving new, younger talent to enter the ever-demanding industry.

Leading the movement Assystem E&I has recently signed the Women in Nuclear Charter:

• Commits to identifying and removing obstacles faced by women and other underrepresented groups in the industry
• Acknowledges advancing equality as priority, demanding action from the industry and especially active leadership in senior roles
• Places the topic at the forefront of business agenda to remove barriers to flexible working across the nuclear sector.

In addition, Assystem is launching a global equality initiative: #IncredibleWomen programme to further increase the number of females in the industry.

Anne-Charlotte Dagorn, Head of the #IncredibleWomen Diversity Programme at Assystem E&I is interested in talking about why the industry needs to make a stand. Why it’s vital for the engineering industry works towards achieving gender equality, and the clear industry need to strike a better balance.

The industry needs to support/attract more talented women, and gender equality can be better achieved in this industry. This is why the #IncredibleWomen programme will promote scientific and technical fields among female students and give them career opportunities within the engineering sector.

Dominique Louis, Chairman & CEO, Assystem explained: “We are now facing unprecedented challenges, whether environmental, technological, political or economic.  Our capacity to tackle them will be greatly improved by ensuring a gender-balanced representation in discussions and decision making, starting with the business world. There is a clear industry need to strike a better gender balance, provide enhanced support for development and ultimately promote a more equalised view of the nuclear sector in order to support and attract more talented women.  At Assystem, we have made gender diversity and the empowerment of women a fundamental element of our development strategy and urge other industry leaders to follow suite.”