Celebrating the Incredible Women at Grenville
At Grenville Engineering, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible women who contribute to our success. In honour of International Women’s Day 2025 and this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,” we sat down with some of our female employees to hear their experiences, insights, and advice for women considering a career in engineering and manufacturing.
Although our female team members at Grenville predominantly occupy office-based roles, their influence extends throughout the company—from key account coordinators to finance and customer service management. Here are some of their inspiring stories and valuable advice.
Finding Your Voice in a Male-Dominated Industry
One common challenge for women in engineering is being seen and heard. As one of our team members shared:
“It can be challenging to be seen and heard in a male-dominated industry. I’ve had to adapt my attitude and personality, which was my choice. Being firm and direct with my requests and responses helps. By staying focused on the job at hand, I am taken seriously by my male colleagues.”
This approach highlights the importance of confidence and assertiveness—qualities that empower women to thrive in any industry.
Another colleague reflected on her early days at Grenville:
“When I first started at Grenville, I was very quiet. I had to quickly find my voice to be heard and listened to.”
Her story serves as a reminder that finding your voice is a journey, often shaped by experiences and the willingness to grow.
Overcoming Stereotypes and Promoting Opportunities for All
One of the most persistent misconceptions is that engineering and manufacturing are predominantly male roles. However, as one team member pointed out:
“Stereotypes still exist, but recently, we had two young women on-site for work experience—one interested in design and software, and the other produced an exceptional piece of welding on our shop floor.”
This experience underscores the need for businesses to engage with young women early in their career paths:
“I think more businesses could go into high schools in Year 9 (options year) and promote careers in engineering, manufacturing, and design to show that all areas are open to all genders.”
By highlighting these opportunities, we can help accelerate action for gender equality and inspire the next generation of female engineers.
Words of Wisdom: Advice for Women Starting Out
Reflecting on their career journeys, our female colleagues offered valuable advice to their younger selves:
“Don’t let people steer you into something you don’t want to do. Be brave and speak up—it’s your life and career, not theirs!”
Another colleague added:
“If the opportunity arises to learn new skills and progress, give it a go. Don’t be afraid to fail, as this is part of the learning and development process.”
These words reflect the spirit of resilience and ambition that drives many engineering women to push boundaries and break barriers.
A Story of Resilience: Lessons from 1989
One compelling story came from a team member recalling her experience in 1989. At just 16, she applied for a laboratory technician role via the YTS Scheme. During the interview, she was told that the lab was a male-dominated area and was instead offered a role in the planning office. Lacking confidence, she accepted, despite not being the path she had envisioned.
Years later, with age, confidence, and experience, she has no hesitation in challenging decisions that affect her. This story highlights how far we’ve come and the importance of empowering young women early in their careers.
The Lighter Side of Engineering
It’s not all challenges and change, though—there’s plenty of humour, too! When asked about the funniest or most unexpected thing that’s happened at work, one story stood out:
“John, one of our retired managers, once walked through the office and innocently announced that he had a ‘rock on’—turns out he was just referring to a tray filled with cups that were rocking!”
Moments like these remind us that laughter and camaraderie are a big part of what makes Grenville Engineering a great place to work.
Driving Positive Change Forward
While our female employees are currently in office-based roles, their contributions are essential to Grenville’s success and the wider engineering and manufacturing industry. Their stories highlight the importance of confidence, resilience, and a willingness to challenge stereotypes.
As the industry continues to evolve, so do the opportunities for women. By encouraging more young women to explore careers in engineering and manufacturing, we can help accelerate the action for gender equality—not just today but for future generations.
Happy International Women’s Day to the fantastic women at Grenville Engineering and all the women driving change in our industry!
