The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Whirlpool want 100 engineers:
Whirlpool’s Tarna Stapleton leads drive for more female recruits
White goods giant Whirlpool in Peterborough is seeking to recruit 100 service engineers.
And the company, in Morley Way, wants to encourage more women to apply for the specialist roles, which have traditionally been regarded as a male preserve.
The Peterborough network has 773 direct engineers of which four are women.
At the forefront of the appeal is engineer planning manager Tarna Stapleton (29) who began her career in the call centre.
She got into engineering after taking part in training opportunities as well as receiving support from the Whirlpool Women’s Network.
She said: “There are a number of female engineers here but it’s a role they fell into.
“Instead we want women to opt for the engineering from the beginning.”
“Service engineering is an attractive role. It offers great flexibility. It allows each person to work effectively, using their own initiative.
“I can guarantee no day will be the same as the next – plus you get to interact with our consumers face-to-face too.
She added: “I have never once felt excluded or made to feel different. I think women can bring something completely different to the team.”
The appeal for more female applicants comes as the company shakes up its inclusion and diversity strategy.
Tarna said: “There are lots of opportunities here that perhaps don’t get promoted in the right way to make them appeal to women.”
Adam Parry, HR manager, said: “As part of our strategy, we are hoping to raise the profile of women in engineering and highlight the excellent career opportunities available.”