IDWI: Why inclusive skills systems are key to sector growth

The International Day of Women in Industry (IDWI), observed each year on 21 April, celebrates the contribution of women to industrial development and highlights the importance of building a more inclusive and equitable future for industry.

For the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector, this is not just an important moment for reflection. It is a reminder of the role inclusion plays in shaping a stronger, more sustainable workforce.

Why inclusion matters

Across many industrial sectors, women remain underrepresented, particularly in higher-technology manufacturing, digital and green roles, and leadership positions. Barriers such as unequal access to skills, training and professional networks continue to limit opportunities.

Addressing this is not only the right thing to do, but it is also key to growth. Sectors that draw on a broader, more diverse talent pool are better equipped to innovate, adapt and thrive. At a time when skills shortages remain a key challenge, ensuring more women can access and progress within these careers is essential.

Listening to the people driving change

As part of International Women’s Day activity, Enginuity hosted its first 365 LIVE event at Millennium Point in Birmingham. The event brought together contributors from the 365 Faces of STEM campaign, which has spent the past year sharing the stories of women and allies across engineering, manufacturing and building services.

The campaign has shown how powerful visibility can be. By sharing real experiences, it helps more people see what is possible and where they belong. At the event, attendees were asked what needs to change to make the sector more inclusive. Their responses were clear and practical:

• “I think we need to focus on how we qualify people, based on their skills, not their appearance. Some companies can be biased by people’s backgrounds. If we prioritise hiring and training those who are capable of doing the job, it would be far more beneficial than judging how people look.”
• “I think employers need to do the hard work. They are the ones who create the workplace culture and make recruitment feel inclusive. Organisations like Enginuity are doing a great job raising awareness, but it is on all of us, especially employers, to listen, reflect, and take action to do better.”
• “I think one key step is giving people more opportunities to practise assessments, especially for apprenticeships. Many teachers are familiar with UCAS applications but not with apprenticeship processes. We also need to make applications more accessible, rely less on AI, and focus more on people’s skills, giving them the chance to be themselves.”
• “For government and industry, the key priority should be making recruitment processes truly inclusive. That means removing bias in hiring and ensuring fair, transparent practices when bringing people into the workforce.”

These perspectives reflect a wider shift. Awareness is growing, but there is still more to do to turn that awareness into consistent action.

Strengthening the routes into industry

Inclusive systems start with access. Vocational pathways play an important role in opening up opportunities in engineering and manufacturing, offering practical routes into skilled careers.

That is why Enginuity, alongside EAL, has created Vocational Celebration Day, with the first official event taking place on 6 August 2026. This new national moment will recognise vocational learners, training providers and employers, while raising awareness of the value these routes bring to the sector.

Alongside this, resources such as the Women in STEM Apprenticeships: Employers’ Guide and the Girls Can Engineer Storybook are helping employers and educators take practical steps to support and inspire more women into the sector.

Building a system that works for everyone

Campaigns like 365 Faces of STEM show the impact of representation. Research and industry insight help ensure that action is targeted and effective. Together, they form part of a wider effort to create a skills system that supports everyone.

As we mark the International Day of Women in Industry, there is real momentum behind this work. The challenge now is to build on that progress and ensure that opportunity, access and progression are available to all.

Find out more about 365 Faces of STEM Take part in Vocational Celebration Day