on this page
-
Markets
Defense
-
Location
Manchester, UK
-
Client
Digital Her
Jacqui Lees
Director for Net Zero and Social Value, Epsom, UK contact form
The AtkinsRéalis team is working with Greater Manchester-based initiative, Digital Her, to encourage more women into engineering and technology careers – delivering industry insight days as well as providing inspirational role models to showcase the diverse roles available in the sector.
Currently the percentage of female science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates is about 19% – but nearly half of those female STEM graduates don’t enter the engineering and technology field at all, or quit soon after joining. For those who do join the profession, 20% of women over the age of 35 are still in junior positions, with 28% of the women leaving technology jobs citing a lack of career growth as a reason. Women leave the technology industry at a 45% higher rate than men. Diversity of all types is crucial to building a robust workforce with different experience and viewpoints, to empower better decisions, and to improve technology products and services.
The Digital Her* mission is to help end gender inequality in the technology sector across the Greater Manchester area, by inspiring and encouraging women to pursue careers in digital, and by supporting women already working in technology to thrive. Building on our commitment to the empowerment of women in the workplace and the engineering industry, and to creating and maintaining an inclusive culture where everyone belongs, can be their true self and can reach their full potential, AtkinsRéalis is a key sponsor of Digital Her, and is supporting many of its initiatives.
Showcasing the many different roles available in engineering and technology, and making women in engineering more visible – “you can’t be what you can’t see” – can encourage more female students and career-changers into the industry, and help retain those currently working in the sector. As part of our work with Digital Her, we’ve been introducing girls to real role models and visible mentors from within our business, developing role model profiles for the Digital Her website that highlight a range of career options. We also undertook a ‘takeover’ of Digital Her’s Instagram channel, highlighting a ‘day in the life’ of a female engineer, and recorded a podcast episode focusing on Imposter Syndrome.
To provide girls from schools in disadvantaged areas, who may not have professional connections, with the opportunity to engage with employers and experience the workplace, we run Industry Insight Days. These events invite groups of female students to our offices, where they can take part in a four-hour STEM workshop. Our teams share their personal career stories, to show the many ways of building a career in engineering and technology, including graduate schemes and apprenticeships.
As part of the Manchester Digital Skills Festival we take part in the Digital Her Day, a conference featuring inspiring talks, workshops and panels for women in technology. With keynotes and panel discussions led by industry leaders, talks by role models, training sessions and networking, the event offers a chance for women to connect, upskill and feel inspired.
Our activities have received excellent feedback from students, allowing us to continually improve our delivery of workshops and insight days.
Digital Her has reached nearly 4000 girls and women to date, supporting 200 schools and colleges across the region through online resources and live events. It has built a community of over 320 Digital Her female role models – including several from AtkinsRéalis – and is growing awareness of its mission through the 700+ followers on its Instagram account.
By helping Digital Her to provide the support, opportunities and guidance needed to empower a new generation of women into the engineering and technology industry, we help them make informed decisions about their digital futures.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
AtkinsRéalis is a fantastic partner in the Digital Her mission towards gender equity in tech. Their ongoing commitment to supporting women and girls in Greater Manchester to be inspired by and thrive within the tech industry is evident through their sponsorship, robust Industry Insights Days, engaging online content and active participation in the Digital Her community.
Kirsten Peters Roebuck
Digital Her Programme Lead
Downloads
Trade releases