Equality in Engineering

As an Equal Opportunities employer, Wintech recognise, celebrate and encourage the values of National Women in Engineering Day (NWED) founded by the Women’s Engineering Society.

Since the end of the war, the WES has been working to ensure equality for women in this non-traditional sector and recognises that the skills gap in engineering remains wide. NWED aims to raise the profile and celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and encourage more females to consider the industry as a career.

With a diverse workforce itself, Wintech are conscious of equality, hiring only the best suited candidates for roles. Meet a part of our engineering team working within this rewarding sector:

Name: Katie Craythorne

Age: 29

Job Title: Façade Structural Engineer 

What does your job involve?

I have to determine the ability of the chosen design to withstand the loading forces that it will be subjected to using calculation methods and software. It requires an understanding of maths but also how to apply regulatory guidelines and standards.

What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering and the façade industry? What was your career path to get to where you are now?

I have always enjoyed maths as a subject, combining that with a passion for business and design a friend suggested that I look into Engineering as a career path. Working at Wintech provided not only a job in which I am able to apply the skills I have learnt studying but also a greater understanding of the difference a well-designed facade can make to a building.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

It is a job where I am always learning. With our understanding of materials and processes increase we can apply that to our work. It provides a platform for discussion where together with my colleagues we can determine how to proceed with certain methods based on best practice.

Have you faced challenges as a woman in your profession? Have you seen changes in attitudes? Is there still more to be done to encourage women and promote equality?

I feel that there has been a slow change in attitudes. Though whilst studying it is noticeable that there are still not enough women pursuing engineering as a career. I think that more should be done at a secondary school level to encourage it as a profession; girls should see more women who actually work at the job.

What is it like working at Wintech?

I very much enjoy working at Wintech; my colleagues are helpful and friendly. If I am struggling with a specific task then I know that there is always someone around I can ask for help, be it using design software like AutoCAD or a better understanding of a certain material/process. In the time I have been at Wintech I have learnt a lot, I hope to continue to learn a lot more as I stay.