b"IWIED 24Eachyearonthe23rdJune,wecelebrateInternationalA typical day involves visiting customer propertiesWhat I enjoy most about my job are the challenges that come with certain Women in Engineering Day. To mark this years celebration,that need to be connected to the CityFibreinstallations. Kelly Group is harnessing the power of gender equality, andnetwork.Workinginateamoftwo,my KellyGroupisproudtorecogniseourvaluedfemalecolleague handles the indoor connections engineering heroes. Were thrilled to take the opportunity towe recognise the need to advocate equal opportunities withinwhile I manage the external setup. ByT hese situations allow me to exercise creativity our industry. We are delighted to see a growing number ofand problem - solving skills.introduce you to a selection of female engineers from ourfemales joining our workforce every week. It is important thatthetimewearrive,theconnectionis CityFibrecontractTeganandEmily;andAnnieaTeameachofuscarryonwiththeconversationaroundcareeralready established to the front of the Manager also from our CityFibre contract who share theirproperty via BT ducting or toby boxes. MyMyadvicetootherwomenconsideringa opportunities for the future generation of engineers.roleistoextendthisconnection,oftencareer in this industry is not to be deterred inspiration and tips for those who are considering a career asdigging a trench through the customers frontby its male-dominated nature. There are an engineer.garden and restoring it to its original condition. Ianincreasingnumberoffemale nd it extremely important to inform the customer ofengineers who thrive in their roles and the works that will be completed on the day and agree on a method that weredemonstrate that we are all capable of Annie McGheeField Manager both happy with.achieving success in this eld. Hi, my name is Annie McGhee, and I currently work as aimprovements. I also provide support whenever my team needs Field Manager for Darby and Lincoln on Kelly Groupsit. What I enjoy most about my job is its social aspectITiegan VerranTelecoms EngineerCityFibrecontract.Myjourneybegan2.5yearsagolove meeting and talking to new people. whenItransitionedfrommypreviousroleasaThebiggestchallengeIfacedwasovercomingHello, Im Tiegan Verran, and I joined Kelly Group as a Telecoms warehouse assistant at UPS. I was looking for a careerself-doubt, especially since I was the only woman in myEngineerinNovember2023.Seekinganewchallenge,I change that would allow me to develop new skills andtraining course.transitioned from a career as a graphic designer in pre-pressAsatelecomsengineer,Ivisitcustomerproperties learn new things, and the engineer opportunity with Kellymagazine work, where I focused on photo editing and pagealongside my colleagues to connect them to the City Group seemed like a perfect t. My cousin, who also works aslayout, to working as a laminator for yachts, constructingFibrenetwork.WhileIenjoythesocialaspectof an engineer in our business, shared positive experiences aboutIknew I could do the job; I just needed toboat parts. While oce work was fullling, I wanted ainternal connections, I am fully trained and capable the role, which further motivated me to pursue this path.believe in my skills. more physically engaging role, which later led me toofhandlingexternalworkasneeded.Ioperatea The training experience was excellent. From the beginning, the support wastelecommunications.dual-kittedvanandamqualiedtoworkonboth incredible, with an understanding that women might not have prior experienceoverhead and underground networks. What I nd most handling tools. They ensured that all trainees, including my male colleagues, feltI've gained extensive knowledge and experience, both in performingaveryAfemalefriendwhoworksasanengineeratOpenreachrewardingaboutmyjobisachievinghigh-quality comfortable with the tasks before assessing our work. physical job and now in supporting my teamprovidedvaluableinsightsintotheinstallations that delight customers eagerly awaiting their eectively in my new role.industry and encouraged me to apply. Iinternet connections. thinkit'simportanttoraiseawarenessof A s I gained condence and prociency as anMymessagetowomenconsideringagender equality in the industry and inspire other women to get involved, maybe if IS ince starting as an engineer, Ive gained engineer, I took on more responsibilities careerinengineeringbutfeelingwould have received a recommendationextensiveexperienceanddeepenedmy hesitant is simple: just do it. Theres nofrom a male friend, I would have been lessknowledge of telecommunications,harmintrying,andwehavejustasinclined to apply for a job, so Im grateful for and temporarily stepped up as a Field Manager when my manager was onmuch right to be here as anyone else.the opportunity to raise awareness. annual leave. A year ago, I was delighted to be promoted to Field Manager.Believeinyourselfandyour capabilitiesyou might be surprised by whatIcompletedmytrainingatournationalcontinually developing my skills in the eld. Working outdoors and In my current role, I am responsible for visiting the engineers I oversee andyou can achieve.centreinNuneaton.Initially,Iwasfacingnewchallengesdailykeepsmeengagedandfosters conducting van, tool, and health & safety audits. I check if completed worksscared to enter a room as the only female trainee engineer,creativity in nding eective solutions. meetourhighstandards;ifnot,Ireassigntheteamtomakenecessarybut I quickly got comfortable with our group. I was lucky to have a very nice group of future engineers who all got onTo other women considering a career in engineering, I reallywell.Wesupportedeachotherthroughoutencourage you not to let fear hinder your aspirations. Emily GrantTelecoms Engineer training, socializing outside of sessions and sharing tipsInitially unsure myself, I discovered that with focus that proved invaluable.and determination, success is within reach.Hello, Im Emily Grant, and I currently work as a Telecomswaspleasantlysurprisedbythesupportiveenvironment. Engineer on Kelly Groups CityFibre contract. I began thisTraining alongside another woman made the experienceThebiggestchallengeIhadtoovercomewasmyown journey 1.5 years ago, transitioning from my previous roleevenmoreenjoyable,asweprogressedtogetherdoubts. Entering a predominantly male industry, I feared I as a tanker driver. Although I enjoyed that job, I wasthrough each step. might struggle to keep pace.eager for a new challenge. While exploring opportunities, IdiscoveredtheTelecomsEngineerpositionatKelly Group, which immediately piqued my interest.I gainedawealthofknowledge,H owever,mycolleaguesconsistently particularly from my buddy in the eld,providedencouragementandassistance IcompletedmytrainingattheNationalTrainingCentreinwhose guidance was invaluable duringwhenever obstacles arose.Eneld, London. Arriving with no prior experience or knowledge, Imy early days. 20 .The Networker Summer 2024"