Local Industrial Technology Specialist Encourages Young Women into a Career in STEM

One of the world’s leading industrial technology companies – based in Teesside - has welcomed a group of young girls from a local specialist STEM college to encourage the next generation of females to pursue a career in engineering.

Tracerco – specialists in using science, technology and innovation to provide customers in the oil, gas, chemical and nuclear industries with critical measurement insights to become safer, more efficient and more productive – introduced 15 girls, aged between 15 – 17-year-old from UTC South Durham to its state-of-the-art head office facilities located in Billingham.

A second visit was also scheduled for Thursday 23^rd June to mark International Women in Engineering Day, where a further 15 girls visited the facilities. Tracerco organised the learning opportunity with the Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF) and used the visit as an opportunity to showcase the vast and interesting opportunities available for females pursuing a career in the industry from engineering and scientific roles through to support service disciplines.

As part of the visit an introduction was given to the Tracerco business itself, with further presentations from inspiring women holding various positions within Tracerco who shared their own experiences of working in a STEM role to provide insight into opportunities available in the industry.

And Tracerco is already leading the way for encouraging women in engineering as 28% of its ~400 strong global workforce is female and three of the company’s leadership team are women.

Speaking about the visit, Tracerco’s Managing Director, Jon Tate said: “We are extremely proud of the diversity in Tracerco, and this is something that we very much encourage throughout the business - and across the world.

“We want to show that there are so many opportunities for women at every level in engineering and it’s not just a career that is often associated with wearing a hard hat and coveralls.

“Research has shown that girls this age who have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in STEM often leave the industry before receiving their qualifications.

“As such, it is so important that we actively encourage and nurture young talent into the industry - especially when they have already chosen to study at a specialist STEM college such as UTC South Durham - and allow them to connect with what a career in the STEM industry could be like – whether it’s being a physicist, chemist, sales or field engineer through to software developer or support services. 

“The opportunities are vast – and right on young people’s doorsteps in the region – with chances for real career progression and travel across the globe.”

Tracerco prides itself on its diversity and inclusion of people across the globe. All staff across the business are offered personal development plans providing the tools and knowledge to enable people to drive forward their own career ambitions aligning those with the needs of the business.   

Tracerco - part of the Johnson Matthey plc - is a global oil and gas service company with over 60 years’ experience. With offices located across the world, the company is well recognised for delivering innovative technologies enabling its customers to make informed decisions.