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Today Connect Plus and CPS celebrate International Women in Engineering Day (INWED); a time to promote and recognise the significant work that women engineers across the globe are doing.

The theme for this year is #TogetherWeEngineer, which celebrates the power of collaboration and inclusivity in shaping a safer, more innovative world through engineering.

This crucial awareness day demonstrates that women around the world are still hugely under-represented in the industry, with figures indicating that in the UK only 16.5% of engineers are women.

INWED also plays a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of female engineers by showcasing role models and sharing stories.

To join the campaign, some of our own inspiring team of engineers have kindly shared their own advice:

Katerina Spitieri (Asset Investment Direct, Connect Plus)

“International Women in Engineering Day is a chance to celebrate the vital role women play in leading in Engineering fields worldwide, shaping a more inclusive future and inspiring future generations. Working on the M25, I've experienced how Engineering is about teamwork, resilience and problem-solving. The engineering profession can be challenging but is also very gratifying. I want young women and girls to know that there’s space for them here - on site, in planning rooms and in leadership. The future of Engineering is diversity and empowering women in this space is essential. The more diverse our teams, the better our solutions!”

Sofia Athanassiou (Commercial Director, Connect Plus)

“Today we celebrate the crucial role women play in engineering, shaping a better future for our communities. Being part of the team on the M25 has shown me firsthand that engineering thrives on collaboration, customer-focus, resilience and innovative thinking. It's not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact of our work: Delivering safer and more reliable journeys for our customers and supporting economic growth and sustainability. To every woman out there: Engineering needs your unique perspective! I'm excited to be part of this evolving landscape and committed to driving more diversity and inclusion in our industry”

Mercy Adegunwa-Peace (Design Engineer, CPS)

“You don’t need to have all the answers to get started — no one does. Engineering is about being curious, asking questions, and being open to figuring things out along the wayh. If you’re someone who likes to explore how things work you are already halfway to making a great Engineer.”

Abbey Featherstone (Technical Authority Manager, CPS)

“My advice for any other women considering the construction industry as a career, is go for it! I’ve worked in the construction industry for the past 25 years, most of which has been spent in Highway maintenance. What I love is that there is always a new challenge, something to learn and no two days are the same. There are such a variety of career options in Engineering, which also require a variety of different skills and aptitudes. My employer,  AtkinsRéalis, recognises the value of diversity and has some great initiatives to encourage recruitment, retention and making sure everyone feels included. The key thing for me is that I can use the skills I have to make a difference to people’s day to day life, by keeping the M25 running, even if most of them don’t realise it.”

Arsha Sachi (Structures Asset Engineer, CPS)

"As a Structures Asset Engineer working on highway projects, I care deeply about keeping our roads and bridges safe and reliable for everyone who uses them. Over time, I’ve realised that engineering isn’t just about drawings or calculations, it’s about solving everyday problems that really matter to people.

For any women thinking about getting into engineering, I’d say: be curious, be bold and don’t be afraid to speak up. Ask questions, take on challenges and believe that your ideas belong here - because they do. We need more voices, more perspectives, and yours can help shape a better, safer future.

Every day brings new challenges, and with them, the opportunity to make a real difference and that’s what makes this work so rewarding."

By engaging and highlighting this important day, we all play a vital role in encouraging more young women and girls to take up engineering careers.

We are proud to actively challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, and promote inclusivity across the business. We are dedicated to fostering equality and breaking down biases within the industry. Through our dedicated ED&I team, we continuously raise awareness, encourage meaningful conversations, and host events to create platforms for discussion at every opportunity.

We have many opportunities available across our teams, search and apply here.