South Africa is embracing diversity in every aspect of life, with companies like ABB, there is a greater focus on providing engineering jobs and bursaries to women.
Johannesburg, South Africa (11 February 2020) – Traditionally, the field of engineering has been very male-dominated, and the percentage of female engineers at universities, and in the workplace, substantially lower than what it should be. ABB, a global, multi-national company, and a pioneering leader in the digital space, has been working to diversify the engineering industry by creating opportunities for women.
In response to South Africa’s high unemployment rates and the lack of female engineers, ABB has developed an education trust which benefits black, female engineers in South Africa. From having their studies covered to being recognised for their engineering talents, these women are changing the face of the industry.
Once women enter the workforce at ABB, they do not need to pioneer their way to the top. Women are noticed for their skills and given opportunities to fill top management positions in their company.
#SAINC met Onalethata Kabela, a passionate and dedicated sales specialist in grid automation at ABB, who says that she wasn’t simply identified as a female engineering talent, but as an engineering talent in her own right. What’s more, in the 10 years that she’s been at ABB, she has seen the number of females in their factory increase sevenfold. Through their education initiatives, ABB is not only empowering the future female leaders of tomorrow, but is also reinventing the field of engineering in South Africa.
Another woman empowered by ABB’s drive to do more is Nontobeko Nyandeni, who is currently in her final year of studies. She feels hopeful that the industry is changing and that women will face fewer challenges. She hopes that women will see her story and know that they too can become engineers.
As part of the #SAINC nation-building initiative, ABB is joining a network of purpose-driven brands to share stories of positive progress in South Africa. These stories are being featured across social media in small snippets, just like the one below, but you will also be able to watch the full-length features live on television. You will find the airing times below:
15 February 2020 – SABC 2 – 14:30
03 March 2020 – Business Day TV – 16:00
05 March 2020 – Business Day TV – 12:00
Watch a snippet of the story below:
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