Weetabix, maker of the nation’s favourite breakfast cereal, is to host its second annual Weetabix Women in Engineering Day this October 11th.
The event, held at its headquarters in Burton Latimer and offered to female Year 10 students from surrounding schools, provides a unique opportunity to learn more about careers in engineering from professionals working within the company.
This is to help inspire more women into the field, provide informational resources and practical demonstrations on what is required, and promote further diversity and inclusion within the industry.
On the day, students will be given exclusive insight into the Weetabrix brand from key spokespeople, as well as the role that engineering plays in delivering its range of familiar tasty, nutritious breakfast products. A tour will also be given around one of the Weetabix plants for firsthand experience, highlighting engineering as a viable career option for women after leaving school.
Christine Bryanton, senior early careers advisor at Weetabix, said: “We’re delighted to invite year 10 students to Weetabix to understand the engineering careers available.
“Creating new opportunities for young people to train, develop and thrive within the sector is a point of pride for us, and especially when it comes to inspiring more women into a field that is typically associated with men.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone on the day – and potentially some new Weetabix engineers in the future!”
The Weetabix Women in Engineering Day forms part of the company’s longer-term strategy to boost interest in engineering and manufacturing fields. While there may not be an immediate increase in applications, the goal of the event is to inspire and encourage more female students to consider engineering as a future career option.
Evie Elliott, Weetabix engineer, recently completed the level 3 Weetabix Engineering Apprenticeship programme and has now moved into a multiskilled role with the company. She said: “I had only heard good things about the Weetabix Apprenticeship programme before I applied, and after speaking to some apprentices at a careers fair, decided that it was the right path for me.
“It’s a great motivator to earn whilst you learn in an industry and trade you care about, as well as in a company who accepts you for who you are. After carrying out the four years of training, I am now working as a multiskilled engineer primarily performing planned and preventative maintenance in our Weetbix plants.”
Alongside its Women In Engineering event, Weetabix regularly attends career events at local schools to inform students on the Weetabix apprenticeship programme and early careers available.
