Women in Engineering Event 2024
Our Women in Engineering event welcomed nearly 200 students from 17 schools to explore careers in engineering through hands-on activities, inspiring tours, and expert-led workshops.
Monday 25 November 2024
At Niftylift, we're passionate about promoting engineering careers and breaking down barriers in STEM. This November, we hosted our annual Women in Engineering event, welcoming nearly 200 students from 17 schools to explore the fascinating world of engineering through engaging activities, expert-led workshops, and inspiring factory tours.
Inspiring Young Minds
This year’s event was a resounding success, with attendees primarily from schools in Milton Keynes, alongside others from further afield, such as Silverstone UTC, Thornton College, and Bedford Girls’ School. For the first time, students from Royal Latin School in Buckingham and Challney High School for Girls in Luton joined us.
We were especially delighted to welcome two relatives of Niftylift staff. One plans to return for a week’s work experience in 2025, and the other has chosen Engineering as a GCSE option trial—a career path she hadn’t considered before attending the event.
A Day Packed with Activities
Students rotated through a variety of activities, including:
- Control Systems/Hydraulics
- Purchasing
- Production Tasks
- Product/Mechanical Design Challenges
- Factory Tours
The hands-on sessions gave students a taste of real-world engineering challenges, from designing components to problem-solving on production lines.
A Warm Welcome to Distinguished Guests
The event also welcomed notable visitors, including:
Countess Lady Howe, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire
Marie Bradburn, the Mayor of Milton Keynes
Amanda Marlow, Hazard Alley Safety Centre
Lady Howe’s feedback highlighted the significance of such initiatives in inspiring young women to pursue engineering careers:
"It was fantastic to see the young girls so engaged with the activities… I am quite certain that the more you can do to offer opportunities for girls to come and see all the different areas of activity within a business such as yours, the better!"
Positive Outcomes
Our feedback revealed a continued positive impact:
- 83% of attendees are now considering a career in engineering—a rate we’ve maintained since 2023.
- Feedback from teachers and careers advisors was overwhelmingly positive. For instance, Cheryl Hancock from Stantonbury School praised the event, calling it a “massive success” and commending our team’s enthusiasm and creativity.
Highlights Video
Relive the excitement! Watch the highlights from this year’s Women in Engineering event.
Looking Ahead
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, from our enthusiastic students to our dedicated team and inspiring guests. Together, we’re building a brighter, more inclusive future for engineering.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to inspire the next generation of engineers.
