Engineering the Future as the Next Generation of Women are Keen to Make a Difference

For International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) on 23 June, companies across the globe shine a light on the engineering talent within their organisation and Ørsted is no different.

The campaign creates awareness which raises the profile of women across all sectors of the engineering industry. As a leading renewable energy company, Ørsted constructs and maintains offshore wind farms across the world, with seven on the west coast of the UK.

This year’s campaign has highlighted a family of women, determined to use engineering to put their positive mark on the world. Zara Clough, a 13 year old student in Barrow, looks up to her cousin Maya and older sister Leah as role models for her future.

Taking part in the INWED campaign through Ørsted, the family share their thoughts on how engineering plays a part in their present and their future.

“My favourite subjects at school are maths, science and sports,” said Zara: “My sister and my cousin have really cool jobs. I’m not sure what I want to be when I’m older, but I hope it helps make a difference.” Zara’s sister Leah is a fully qualified wind turbine technician, having completed her apprenticeship with Ørsted after completing her A-Levels in 2018.

Maya, the sisters’ cousin, is currently a second-year apprentice for the same Ørsted program. Once complete, Maya will have gained a Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician (MOET) Wind Turbine qualification. Having spent the first year of the program studying at Furness College. Maya’s second year involves more hands-on work, enabling her to meet colleagues in the office and show roles across the organisation.

Howard Shields, Head of UK West Operations for Ørsted said: “We’re an inclusive organisation and we make a concerted effort to appeal to a diverse range of applicants for the roles we have on offer. There’s a talent pool right here on the west coast of the country and we’re keen to utilise it and work with people who also want to create a world that runs entirely on green energy.”

With seven fully operational offshore wind farms off the west coast of the UK, Ørsted is helping to power more than 2.2 million homes with green power each year.

Follow the campaign on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #INWED22 and the handle @INWED1919.