As the global energy transition continues to accelerate—fueled by innovative thinking and new solutions—greater diversity and inclusion are key to creating the right environment for this innovation to thrive.
As we move into a new era of clean energy, the energy industry looks very different today than it did in the past. Engineering roles that were historically male-dominated are increasingly seeing greater female representation.
At EnerMech, we are committed to developing and growing a diverse and inclusive global workforce. To mark International Women in Engineering Day 2023 and its theme of “Making Safety Seen,” Project Engineer Jennie Moir shares her experiences of this evolution and how EnerMech is working to support a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the future.
Jennie joined our cranes and lifting department in 2019 and was, at the time, the only female team member. Despite this, she says she has never felt out of place. Having recently returned from maternity leave, she is on a mission to encourage and inspire more women to enter engineering and to show young people starting their careers the value of safety in the workplace.
How did you start your career in engineering?
“While in secondary school, I attended a Motor Vehicle Technology course, which was run in collaboration with the school. I was the only female taking part but was never treated differently from my male peers. During the training, I completed work experience at the Land Rover factory. This was a fantastic opportunity that exposed me to many different areas of engineering and manufacturing—it really opened my eyes to what a diverse career in engineering could offer. I knew I wanted to pursue it as a profession and went on to earn my master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Aberdeen. After graduating, it was my goal to work in the energy industry because of the many opportunities to work both onshore and offshore, which really appealed to me.”
How do you and your team prioritize safety in the workplace?
“I’m extremely proud of the safety culture at EnerMech, which encourages continuous improvement in all our operations worldwide. Safety as a core value is emphasized in every aspect of our work. It’s important to me that all our colleagues understand their right to stop a job if they feel something is unsafe, and we empower our team to speak up if they feel uncomfortable. None of our work environments are places where safety and well-being can be taken lightly.”
How do you use your position to teach less experienced colleagues the value of safety?
“We typically get new team members involved in the day-to-day running of the department as early as possible to give them a strong understanding of the challenges and potential risks involved in our work. We also encourage junior staff to write EnerMech Work Observation Cards. This is part of our behavior-based safety program that uses observation reports to mitigate risk by correcting unsafe behavior or workplace hazards. When multiple projects are running at once, it could be easy to become complacent, but we work hard to build an environment where everyone understands the value of safety to ensure our standards never slip.”
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
“Co-founding the Women in Engineering Society during my time at university was a great accomplishment and something I can look back on with pride. Securing university affiliation for the group allowed us to run career sessions that provided other young women with a gateway into STEM-related industries. I’m passionate about encouraging women into engineering and highlighting the diverse career opportunities it offers, so I’m proud to have played a role in supporting others to achieve their goals.”
What advice do you have for other women interested in engineering?
“I know it can be daunting as a woman entering what has traditionally been a male-centric workforce, but times are changing. I’m fortunate that since starting with EnerMech, I’ve never been treated differently because of my gender. The mindset around engineering isn’t what it was even a few years ago—we’re all driven by the same goal, and I don’t believe any of my colleagues care whether you’re male or female. What matters most is doing a great job, working as a team, and supporting each other to complete tasks safely and on time to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations.”