Arrotek is proud to support International Women’s Day 2022 and this year’s theme, Break the Bias.
Imagine a gender equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women’s equality.
Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.
We can break the bias in our communities.
We can break the bias in our workplaces.
We can break the bias in our schools, colleges and universities.
Together, we can all break the bias – on International Women’s Day (IWD) and beyond.
Read more about the Break the Bias theme on the International Women’s Day website
Supporting Women in a Male-Dominated Industry
“Arrotek is a medical device design company operating in the engineering sector,” said Tracey Kelly, HR Manager at Arrotek. “The reality today is that engineering as a sector remains weighted towards men, with far more men working as engineers than women. So, it is important that we encourage and help more women into engineering roles.
“Breaking the bias is a theme for International Women’s Day that applies in many different ways, but we think it is particularly applicable in the field of engineering, so it is something that we are proud to support.”
Two female Arrotek engineers are examples of ways the sector can help improve the gender balance in engineering here in Ireland and beyond.
Continuous Professional Development
Catrina Hunter’s current role in Arrotek is Design Assurance Engineer, but this is a very different role from what she had when she first entered the workplace. Her story shows how pursuing a career in engineering is something that doesn’t have to start in your late teens or early twenties. Instead, you can go into engineering later in life.
When Catrina left secondary school, she took a manufacturing job before going on to have a family. Her career path led her into the quality field, so she started third-level education to get a relevant qualification. During this time in college, Catrina joined Arrotek. She continued studying, obtaining her degree and securing a role in Arrotek as an engineer.
“Arrotek are really supportive and help you to pursue the things you are interested in,” said Catrina. “When I went back to college as a mature student, they fully supported me, and it wasn’t just financially, either. They also provided support in other ways, such as giving me time off to study and sit exams.
“That support in providing training and continuous professional development opportunities has been ongoing, too, as I continuously do courses that will help me in my role.
“My advice to females of any age is to go for it if engineering or any other male-dominated career is something you think you want to do. There is support out there, and it is a very rewarding career.”
Women in Engineering Leadership Positions
Laura Kelly’s path into engineering was different from Catrina’s, as it started in secondary school, where Laura was interested in science subjects. This led her to college and a biopharmaceutical science degree. After graduating, she went into the medical device industry as a lab technician before moving to a quality engineering role.
When Laura came to Arrotek, she joined as a Design Assurance Engineer.
Laura said: “In general, I have found the industry is good, although in previous companies you would find that females would mostly be in lower roles. My experience in Arrotek has been completely the opposite, as I have been given opportunities to move into management and leadership positions.”
Laura is currently Quality Manager at Arrotek. She agrees with Catrina that girls and young women should pursue a career in engineering if it is something they are interested in.
Laura said: “For me, I find engineering very interesting. No two days are the same, there are always new areas to learn, and you never feel stagnant. It is a career that really feeds your knowledge as we constantly have new devices for new parts of the body that you would then have to learn more aspects on.
“The stigmas that still exist in engineering need to be broken, but I wouldn’t let the stigmas of the past hold you back or affect your career path.
“I would say to any female thinking of engineering, if it is something you have an interest in, it is something you should pursue. It is definitely worth pursuing.”
