Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) is marking International Day of Women and Girls in Science today, (11 February) to highlight the role of women and girls in scientific fields.
Home to the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster, at Imperial Park, Newport, our region is known for its pioneering scientific research base which develops the technology behind most of today’s high-tech products and services, including smartphones, sensors, and fibre-optic communications.
With the industry facing a global skills shortage, attracting women and girls to the sector is key to supporting its growth and represents an opportunity to diversify the workforce and build a future talent pipeline.
Tracy Sweet, Cardiff Capital Region’s Compound Semiconductor Cluster Development Manager, shared:
“Following my PhD in Crystallography, I landed my first role as a Production Engineer at Epitaxial Products International (now IQE plc) – the company’s first female engineer. In 2023, I joined CCR to grow the compound semiconductor cluster in South East Wales, working as a Non-Executive Director of CSconnected Ltd.
“After nearly 30 years in the STEM industry, we must continue working to increase the proportion of women in the sector. With women holding just 13% of executive positions at public semiconductor companies (GSA: Semiconductor Gender Diversity Index, 2022), fostering their career development is key to increasing the number of female leaders in the industry and to creating new role models for young women entering the sector.”
Rachel Morgan, Programme Manager at South Wales Compound Semiconductor PBIAA, said:
“While women represent a valuable talent pool in the compound semiconductor industry, the number of women joining the sector has only increased by 5% from 2019 – 2024, forming just 29% of the overall workforce when they are key to closing the skills and talent gap.
“The cluster companies are some of the best workplaces for women, offering multiple opportunities at all career stages while continuously striving to create an inclusive environment where women feel valued and included.”
