UK-based manufacturer of print finishing equipment A B Graphic International (ABG) has increased its efforts to improve gender representation in engineering through targeted outreach, early engagement programmes and internal development schemes.
Speaking at the CIPD Annual Conference on 5 November, Karen Robinson, ABG’s head of human resources, highlighted the scale of the gender gap, noting that women account for 16.9% of engineers in the UK, with an even smaller proportion working in manufacturing. She said research indicates that girls often begin to disengage from STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects between Years 5 and 11, emphasising the need for earlier intervention.
To support early outreach, ABG collaborates with the Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA), whose schools programme delivers more than 100 activities annually and reaches over 3000 students across primary, secondary and further education. These sessions include hands-on activities, careers information and employability guidance. ABG complements this work by hosting open days and allowing students to observe engineering processes at its facilities.
On 13 November, the company held a Women in Engineering Open Day for 20 female students aged 14 to 16 from two local schools. The event included talks from ABG employees, a factory tour and discussions with engineers about career pathways in the sector. Ms Robinson said such events can help broaden understanding of engineering roles among students.
Alongside external outreach, ABG has introduced an internal training initiative called Elevate, aimed at providing female employees with skills and structured routes into technical roles. The year-long programme includes hands-on experience, coaching, electrical fundamentals training and regular progress reviews. Participants develop personalised plans and receive on-the-job mentoring with the goal of operating independently by the end of the programme. According to Ms Robinson, the initiative is intended to reduce barriers to technical career progression.
ABG plans to expand Elevate to additional business functions, increase school engagement and participate in more HETA-led activities. The company also intends to host further Women in Engineering open days.
Ms Robinson added: “The momentum is building. But to truly shift the dial, we must keep widening access, deepening partnerships and ensuring that women, whether students or colleagues, see engineering as a welcoming, exciting and achievable career.”
