Costain is today celebrating National Women's Engineering Day by sponsoring a lecture from four high-profile women in the engineering industry.

The event was organised by Costain's Lilli Craemer, Requirement Manager at ABC Electrification, the Alstom Babcock Costain company formed to deliver major parts of Network Rail's National Electrification Programme including the Valley Lines. The Welsh Government and Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Wales Cymru have also sponsored the talk, which will be held at Cardiff University.

"The aim is to celebrate the achievements of women in engineering and raise the profile of women in the profession," said Lilli. "It's important that we as an industry attract more women to help address the skills shortage, and it will be interesting to hear our speakers' experiences and also their vision and expectations for women in engineering. The lecture will have relevance for everyone – not just women."


Economy Science and Transport Minister Edwina Hart, said: "The construction sector is currently in a good position to exploit a number of opportunities in response to the economic recovery, and from the Welsh Government's investment in infrastructure and capital projects.

"Boosting the number of women in engineering and the construction industry is a vital element of developing a highly skilled workforce able to meet the current and future requirements of the industry.

"It is very important that women and girls realise the construction industry is a potential career for them when they are considering their futures. It shouldn't be seen as a no-go area and I am therefore delighted the Welsh Government is supporting this event to raise the profile of women in the industry."

(CD)