Who we are

Supporting women in engineering at every stage of their career for more than 100 years

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The largest UK network of women engineers and advocates for gender equality in engineering.

We’re a members-led organisation that supports engineers throughout their careers and champion an inclusive, diverse and equitable engineering profession.

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Mission: An engineering industry that employs the diversity of the society it serves, to solve the biggest societal issues of our time.

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Vision: To support women in engineering to fulfil their potential and support the engineering industry to be inclusive.

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Values: Every employee and volunteer is a custodian of our history, and a contributor to our future. We’re collaborative, empowered, and inclusive.

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Connect

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Participate

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Grow

We were founded by members of the National Council of Women during the First World War to campaign for the pioneering women who worked in engineering and technical roles, and to promote engineering as a rewarding job for women.

Today, our charity continues to inspire and support diversity in engineering.

WES creates meaningful career support for our members through programmes such as MentorSET, our specialised mentoring scheme, and WES Community Groups including the Early Careers Board. These are structured ways to share your ideas, learn from your peers and build your professional networks.

WES has a legacy of working with industry, education and policymakers to improve diversity in engineering and deliver initiatives such as The WES Awards and the Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) that each recognise achievement and further shape the profession.

We drive important conversations in our industry through national campaigns like International Women in Engineering Day.

Over the years WES has grown into a community of passionate professionals and an important platform for influencing positive change across engineering.

We have several ways for you to get involved, we encourage you to find the one that fits you!

Become a member
Join a group
Become a partner

Some of our history

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1919
Our beginnings

WES is founded in the aftermath of the First World War to defend women’s place in engineering at a time when many were being pushed back out of technical roles.

A woman in a white lab coat working in a vintage chemistry laboratory with glassware and scientific equipment on shelves and the countertop, dated 1902.

1923
First annual conference held

In 1923 WES held it’s first annual conference, a tradition that continues today.

Two women standing outdoors in front of a historic building with parked cars in the background. One woman is wearing a large black hat and sunglasses, and the other is wearing a large white hat with a flower decoration and sunglasses. The woman in white is holding a framed certificate or award.

1969
WES turns 50

The Women’s Engineering Society celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary

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2014
INWED launches

WES launches International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) during its 95th anniversary year, transforming WES into a globally recognised voice for women in engineering.

Multiple glass awards with engraved text recognizing women in engineering, displayed in a row. The awards are transparent with a greenish tint and have flower-shaped cutouts at the top.

2016
WE50 launches

The launch of WE50 created one of the most visible public recognition programmes for women engineers in the UK.

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TODAY
More than 2,000 members strong

More than 100 years on, WES has grown into the UK’s largest professional organisation for women in engineering.

See our full history

Want to support a more inclusive engineering profession?

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Join WES and connect with a network of women engineers driving a more inclusive future.

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