With only 17% of the UK’s engineering workforce being women, there is a national effort to increase the number of girls studying STEM subjects in secondary school, which in turn may encourage them to follow STEM careers.
Today, on International Women in Engineering Day 2025, we take a look at the work that DriveWorks does to support and inspire young people to take up careers in STEM and help develop a pipeline of future engineers.
Support for local schools & colleges
DriveWorks Community Engagement & Onboarding Manager, Bridie Mills, supports a variety of local events and initiatives to help inspire the next generation. As part of her role, she works with local organizations to promote careers in STEM and provide opportunities for local students to develop their STEM skills.
Some of the initiatives that Bridie is involved with include:
The Cheshire & Warrington Pledge
The Cheshire and Warrington Pledge Partnership joins with employers to inspire, inform and communicate with the next generation of employees in Cheshire and Warrington. Businesses work together with educators to provide young people in the area with everything they need to succeed in the world of work.
Employers work directly with young people, teachers, parents, carers, and youth workers to provide employability-related skills and highlight the employment opportunities available.
Cornerstone Employers Group
DriveWorks is part of the Cheshire & Warrington Cornerstone Employers Group. We work together with other local businesses to ensure all young people in our area have the opportunities they need to be prepared and inspired for the world of work.
Promoting young people’s career education is an important part of our culture at DriveWorks, and being part of this group enables us to make a positive contribution on a local level.
Enterprise Adviser
In her role as an Enterprise Adviser, Bridie works with local schools and colleges to improve careers education and prepare young people for the world of work.
Using her business insight and network, she helps schools develop effective STEM career strategies and create STEM opportunities for students.
Supporting STEM learning internationally
As part of our wider ESG commitment to STEM we are proud to support education on a global platform with our free DriveWorks training and certification programs for anyone with access to SOLIDWORKS®.
DriveWorksXpress is taught in schools and universities around the world, enabling students to learn additional skills and knowledge. Additionally, members of the DriveWorks team take part in an outreach program to provide on-site training for university students taking DriveWorks certifications.
Inspiring events
National Manufacturing Day
Last year, we took part in National Manufacturing Day 2024. The theme for NMD2024 was “Opening doors for future makers”, and we opened the doors of DriveWorks HQ to showcase how technology is helping to transform the manufacturing industry.
We were joined by STEM students and educators from Priestley College, UTC Warrington, The University of Huddersfield, and Trafford & Stockport College to learn about some of the career opportunities available in engineering that they may be less familiar with.
Inspiring leadership
DriveWorks Co-Founder, Maria Sarkar MBE, is an inspiring female role model and a keen advocate for promoting careers in STEM. In 2024, Maria was awarded an MBE for her services to manufacturing.
Maria actively promotes technology as a great career path for young people. She initiated DriveWorks intern and graduate training programs and inspires other women to look at technology and the manufacturing sector as a positive career choice.
Maria regularly speaks at industry events and works closely with several UK universities. Earlier this year, Maria was a panel member on an Exporting Masterclass, as part of the Women’s International Networking (WIN) Programme, where she shared her export experience and insight as an Export Champion. This year, she is celebrating her 5th consecutive year as an Export Champion.
”I’m proud to be a female co-founder and leader of an award-winning tech business today. Our business thrives on having a unique blend of people, personalities, and talents. We believe there should be no barriers to achievement and the more we can all raise awareness of opportunities and equality, the better.”
Maria Sarkar, MBE