Weston College brought together industry professionals, educators and aspiring engineers this week to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day with a dedicated breakfast event focused on collaboration, inspiration and action.

The event, held at the South West Skills Campus, created a space for open and honest conversations about the perceptions, barriers and opportunities within the engineering sector. Through a mix of employer and alumni spotlights, roundtable discussions and networking, attendees explored how the industry can become more inclusive and accessible for future talent.

A key highlight of the morning was the range of presentations delivered by both staff and attendees. These shared real-life experiences of career pathways, challenges overcome, and the importance of representation within engineering. The discussions moved beyond surface-level themes, addressing stereotypes, recruitment challenges, workplace culture and the need for clearer pathways into the profession.

The event also emphasised the strength of collaboration between education and industry partners, reinforcing the importance of building a connected and inclusive talent pipeline that supports individuals at every stage of their journey.

Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnership Manager, said: “This event felt genuinely special. The conversations were insightful, inspiring and, most importantly, honest. There was a real sense of connection in the room, with people sharing experiences openly and challenging perceptions together.

"The quality of the presentations and discussions really stood out, they were thought-provoking and grounded in real experience. It’s clear there is so much more for us to explore as a sector, and events like this create the space to do that.

"We should absolutely be bringing people together like this more often, because this is where real change starts.”

The morning concluded with a shared commitment to continue the conversation and build on the momentum created, ensuring that the insights discussed translate into meaningful action for the future of engineering.