Telford-based Transicon is a family run manufacturer of AC & DC Drives, Servo Drives, PLC and SCADA Systems and is succeeding in encouraging more women into the manufacturing industry, celebrating  International Women’s day.

With the firm sited in Telford, Shropshire, acknowledged as the birthplace of the industrial revolution and in one of Britain’s fastest growing new towns, Telford should, with its plethora of world class firms, have a tremendous opportunity to return become a hub for UK manufacturing.

However, the sector laments, as is reported across the rest of the UK, to struggle to attract more women into the sector, something that Director Jennifer Hughes is all too aware as one of the few female Directors of and SME manufacturer in the region: “Manufacturing can offer a wonderful career to all young people, so it doesn’t make sense considering the skills gap that we are all experiencing, for firms to continue to appeal only to a small percentage of your potential workforce in your area.  We as manufacturers must do more to challenge the unconscious bias that might deter a young female in the area from considering a career in the sector.”

“Transicon believe that apprenticeships particularly are the lifeblood of the manufacturing community and absolutely its future, our hiring strategy going forward to complement our fine staff retention record is to grow and develop our own talent. The firm can offer a high quality, practical career in an exciting and challenging quality industry using world class technology and world class companies, so it’s wonderful to be having female applicants for these roles,” continued Jennifer.

Transicon have a strong family run theme running through the business with three members of the Blake family working in the day-to-day operations, including two on the board; Managing Director Francis Blake and his daughter, Jennifer, Financial Director which gives the firm a sound footing for the future with a strong management team overseeing the next phase of Transicon’s growth journey.Your browser does not support the video tag.

“We’ve been supporting manufacturing in the region since 1967 and we aim to be here for future generations, so it’s wonderful to welcome our new crop of apprentices into the firm.” said Jennifer Hughes.

To read similar articles, check out our People & Skills channel.