News


Female talent switches on to engineering careers with ABB

September 2021 News

ABB is building a bright future by strengthening diversity and inclusion and encouraging new talent to join the organisation. In addition to focusing on enabling a low-carbon society and preserving resources, ABB’s Sustainability Strategy incorporates driving social progress, equality and diversity to create safe, fair and inclusive working environments and support community building.

ABB has, for example, become the official global partner of the FIA Girls on Track, with its grassroots ABB Formula E Project programme aiming to inspire the next generation of women.

Encouraging women in STEM and in traditionally male-dominated environments is another key focus area within the sustainability strategy. Joining the existing agreement with the Society for Women Engineers (SWE), the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology, is further evidence of the diversity and inclusion commitment from ABB.

Furthermore, ABB’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2030 plans to double the proportion of female managers worldwide over the next decade. With this initiative, ABB aims at achieving a 25% share of women in senior management positions, up from the current 12,5%.

Testament to its commitment to bring female talent into the organisation, nearly half of engineers hired by ABB’s Electrification business in South Africa from 2017 to date have been women. As Jacky Mbanga, human resources business partner for ABB Electrification in South Africa, says: “We are constantly trying to encourage more women into the programme to make sure that we have a truly diverse and reflective workforce.”


Jacky’s role is to develop the company’s talent pool so that it is in line with and responsive to the changing needs of the business. A major achievement has been significant growth in the number of women engineers in permanent positions at ABB Electrification South Africa over the last two and a half years. Since 2017, nearly half of all hired engineers are female, with 11 out of 24 graduate engineers being women.

This is in keeping with ABB’s broader diversity and inclusion policy, which states that it does not discriminate on any grounds: gender, ethnic, sexual orientation, cultural, social, religious or other.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
The top 10 emerging technologies of 2025
News
The World Economic Forum’s top 10 emerging technologies of 2025 are expected to deliver real-world impact within three to five years and address urgent global challenges.

Read more...
Comtest calibration user group seminar
News
Comtest invites metrology and calibration professionals to a focused technical seminar series aimed at demystifying some of the most common hurdles in inter-laboratory comparisons.

Read more...
Technology leaders shaping 2025
News
In an era where agility, innovation and execution are paramount, ABI Research’s latest report, ‘26 Technology Companies Leading the Way in 2025’ identifies the top players shaping the future across key digital technology segments.

Read more...
Omniflex through the decades
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists News
As Omniflex celebrates 60 years of engineering excellence, we take a look back at the decade that saw us really kick in and deliver major engineering projects – the 1970s.

Read more...
Innomotics certified for innovative mine winder braking system
News
Innomotics has achieved SIL 3 certification for the COBRA 02 S braking system for mine winder installations, together with OLKO-Maschinentechnik.

Read more...
The true cost of cheap water in South Africa
News
The low cost of water has created a dangerous sense of comfort for South Africans.

Read more...
South Africa’s green hydrogen leap
News
Over the past 12 months, South Africa has solidified its ambitions to become a global green hydrogen leader. Riding on abundant renewable energy resources and strategic partnerships, the country has advanced from early-stage promise to tangible project groundwork. These are the most significant developments from mid-2024 through mid-2025.

Read more...
Rewiring the nation
News
South Africa’s energy sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Long defined by its heavy dependence on coal, the country is now making significant progress toward a more diverse and sustainable energy mix.

Read more...
Africa Energy Review
News
The Africa Energy Review 2024 from PwC outlines how the continent’s energy landscape is shifting in response to global trends, local needs and technological innovation.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved