Engineering Heroes

Today (23rd June 2021) marks International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).

This year’s theme is ‘Engineering Heroes’, celebrating the everyday heroes and recognising that their actions are just as heroic as emergency ones. Classed as an essential industry, the engineering sector has carried on as best it could despite the pandemic, responding both to new engineering needs and those that must continue regardless. The pandemic showed how engineers – and the public – used to working collaboratively in person and now mostly isolated, can adapt to new ways of problem solving, multi-tasking and getting the job done to the highest standard possible. All whilst being in less than desirable circumstances and attempting to maintain a good work-life balance.

As an engineering business - classed as an essential service - Edina’s staff have been working throughout the pandemic ensuring new power plant projects are designed, engineered, installed, and commissioned on-time as per the scope of works. For existing customer sites, our asset-care teams have been ensuing 24/7 operation of their on-site power plant – many of which are classified as critical infrastructure within the healthcare, food and drink, and pharmaceutical sectors.

At Edina, we value our female engineers and want to celebrate their work. In doing so, we asked our Tendering CAD Technician Angela Law (pictured below) about her role within Edina and what advice she would offer to women and girls considering a career in engineering.

What made you choose a career in engineering?

When I was at school, we were pushed into staying on to do A-Levels or going to college. My friends were taking Law and Medicine. I wanted to do something different, more practical and to get a job. I managed to get an apprenticeship in structural steel draughting. I found the work was interesting with new challenges every day.

Working at Edina, what does your day-to-day role involve?

I work in the tendering department as a Computer Aided Design (CAD) technician. My role involves working with our engineering teams to understand the client’s electrical and thermal requirements. Once a site visit has taken place and preliminary data gathered, I use this information to produce an initial layout drawing of the proposed power plant using AutoCAD to maximise the onsite space available.

These drawings take into consideration the proposed space requirement for engines, containers, silencers, and gauge potential modifications that may be needed such as additional doors, louvres in walls, and changes to the roof for the exhausts.

If a new building is planned, we need to give an indication to the client of how big the building needs to be and what space will be needed for maintenance and access purposes. We need to indicate what stair or ladder access is required to roof mounted equipment and the location of fire escapes to meet the appropriate Safety, Health, Environment and Quality standards and regulations.

These drawings visualise the proposed power generating facility and are used by the client to obtain planning permission for their project. Once the contract has been awarded to Edina, my drawings are passed to our internal design and engineering teams and are the foundation of further detailed design works. Sometimes my drawings are used to obtain quotes for work from sub-contractors.

What advice would you give to someone looking into a career in engineering?

A career in engineering can be very rewarding and challenging. My role is both creative and collaborative. I work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to maximise the footprint of the power generation facility.

Working within the parameters of the space confinements to ensure the power generating equipment integrates and functions as it should whilst still adhering to best practice standards possible can be a challenge. Depending on whether there is a requirement for heat or cooling equipment or whether the installation is within an existing building or new build, no two projects are the same.

My drawings have been used to develop future power plants within a variety of sectors including commercial and industrial. It is a great feeling to see your designs incorporated within the final build of a new energy centre project for a hospital, for example.

If you are considering a career in engineering and would like to know more, there are some fantastic resources available online at EngineeringUK and Women's Engineering Society. Alternatively, if you would like to work within an engineering company, be sure to visit our careers page for the latest vacancies.

What is International Women in Engineering Day?

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) was launched in 2014 as National Women in Engineering Day by the Women’s Engineering Society to mark its 95th birthday. On the 23rd June each year, INWED recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of women engineers throughout the world. Since 2014, it has grown tremendously, it received UNESCO patronage in 2016 and became international in 2017. Its aim is also to show girls and women the exciting career opportunities open to them in the field and to raise the profile of female engineers.

Engineering Heroes

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