As the celebration of the eighth International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), themed Engineering Heroes, wrapped up last month, South African engineers encouraged more women to enter the field.

Launched on June 23, 2014, by UK-based Women’s Engineering Society (WES), INWED is an international awareness campaign which raises the profile of women in engineering and focuses on the career opportunities available to women in the industry.

Starting as a national campaign, INWED received United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation patronage in 2016 and became international in 2017, following interest and enthusiasm from the international audience and participants in the previous years in celebrating the work and achievements of women engineers.

In line with this, drilling technology provider Rosond geologist Chelsea Rebelo says that, while civil engineering remains largely male-dominated, there are many opportunities for women in sectors such as geotechnical engineering.

“If students had more information about the options available to them in the engineering field, the uptake of females in the field is likely to increase, resulting in more diversity across the board,” she says, encouraging students to research the career path properly and network with engineers on platforms such as LinkedIn to find out more.

Rebelo, who has a BSc (Hons) degree in geological sciences from the University of Cape Town, started her career as a geologist conducting greenfield exploration activities in Zambia, with her role expanding from pure geology to encompass project coordination and management.

“The data we collect on our geotechnical projects is not just about drilling metres as in exploration. It also encompasses other testing and analytical services we are able to offer,” she explains, highlighting Rosond’s in-house development of next-generation drill rigs in line with the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

“In terms of the digital transformation that the company is undergoing as it embraces 4IR in its drilling technology, it has been really important to have somebody marry all these elements and ensure everybody on site can function effectively,” Rebelo elaborates.

Women are striving to play a vital role in the engineering field, adds ABB Electrification test engineer and AIT student Sandile Gladnes Ngomane, who works on the switchgear side (both primary and secondary), confirming if the switchgear works according to the schematic design and meets customer specifications.

“We see many women in the field doing and committing themselves in the workplace environment.”

The sector is a broad field and presents numerous opportunities for determined women engineers to specialise and choose a niche, succeeding by forging their own paths, from technician level to sales, quality control and project engineers.

However, a concerted effort needs to be made to accommodate women engineers on an equal footing, along with their male counterparts.

“Women must also be given the opportunity to lead and demonstrate their capabilities. I strongly believe that women are particularly suited for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers, but just lack the opportunity and support to do so,” Ngomane points out.

ABB Electrification electrical engineering apprentice Zinhle Obedience Ndlazi stresses that awareness of the importance of gender equality in engineering can only be improved if the issue is afforded a platform for discussion and evaluation.

Each individual operating within the engineering space deserves equal recognition, irrespective of their gender, as both contribute to an economic sector that underpins critical infrastructure development such as water and wastewater reticulation and transportation networks, she comments.

“Women contribute positively in the engineering sector through innovative and creative solutions that make a great impact in local communities and around the world,” says consulting engineering company Zutari professional geotechnical engineer Confidence Tshilande.

Tshilande, who works in technical design, site supervision and project management on various engineering projects, has extensive project experience in various market segments such as water, energy, the built environment, transport, resources and manufacturing, in several countries, including South Africa, Gabon, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, Malaysia, Australia and Burundi.

“I always wanted to be part of the solution to the challenges we face, such as a shortage of water, power, roads and housing, and that is how I knew that civil engineering was the right career path to achieve that.”

She is also an active leader in industry organisations, including the South Africa Institute Civil Engineering’s geotechnical division and the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering’s Young Members Presidential Group, contributing to the growth and attractiveness of the geotechnical fraternity among young and female practitioners in South Africa and across the world.

Tshilande, who was also nominated and elected as a member of the University of Johannesburg’s council and Executive Committee of Convocation, which has enabled her to contribute to bridging the gap between higher education systems and industries, founded the first social networking mobile application for women only to address the critical challenges women in industry face and offer a safe space to deal with the inequality gap.

The platform aims to foster global mentorship, promote STEM careers among women and enhance upliftment between all users, regardless of race, age, culture and nationality.

“We are in the 4IR, which has given me an opportunity to embrace unconventional ways of doing things. This is such a great opportunity to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to global challenges.

“However, the biggest challenge is to get everyone on board and to educate our society, political leaders and clients on new and improved systems of doing things. Although women are now given equal opportunities in the engineering sector, there is still a lack of young girls following STEM careers,” Tshilande concludes. MW