More than 120 female professionals from across the renewable energy sector gathered in Belfast recently for RenewableNI’s annual ‘Women in Renewables’ conference, with the event focusing on leadership, visibility, mentoring and career progression.
The event, which was developed in partnership with SONI and supported by Pinsent Masons, welcomed renewable energy professionals from across the UK and Ireland, addressing topics such as inclusion, visibility, career progression and ‘imposter syndrome’.
‘Create opportunities’
“Women in Renewables was established to create opportunities for women to connect, learn from one another and build the confidence and networks needed to progress their careers,” commented Judith Rance, head of communications and events at RenewableNI and founder of Women in Renewables.
“The energy transition will require a skilled and diverse workforce, and it is vital that women are represented at every level of our industry. We also know it is vital for younger women to see the diversity of roles and pathways into renewables, letting them know the opportunities available to them. We heard many times today ‘we need to see it to be it’.”
The programme included a keynote address from executive coach and author Joanna Denton, as well as a ‘Powerhouse’ workshop programme comprised of 12 roundtable discussions.
Elsewhere, a panel discussion, featuring RenewableNI chair Steph Dunlop, Catherine Burns of Pinsent Masons, Rachel Sankannawar of the Department for the Economy and Dr Theresa Donaldson, chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners, focussed on career progression, leadership and efforts to build a more inclusive renewable energy sector.
“The enthusiasm and engagement in the keynote session, panel discussion and roundtable conversations demonstrated the strength of talent that exists across our sector and the appetite to support the next generation of women in renewables,” Rance added.
Renewable Role Models
Elsewhere, Women in Renewables has launched a mentoring programme and a Renewable Role Models online platform, which aims to increase the visibility of women working across the renewables sector and highlight the range of roles available.
Renewable NI added that some of these ‘role models’ have also featured in Northern Ireland Department for the Economy Green Skills materials and the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Clean Jobs report. Read more here and here.
