Women Innovators in Foundation Industries mentoring programme
Applications are open for the Women Innovators in Foundation Industries mentoring programme. Find out more about how to become a mentee or mentor.
As part of the government’s strategy and commitment to clean growth and net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the £66 million UKRI’s Transforming Foundation Industries (TFI) Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, EPSRC and ESRC, brings together the metals, glass, paper, ceramics, cement and bulk chemical industries to address environmental impact and global competitiveness.
Building on the Women Innovators in Foundation Industries (WINFI) initiative, we are launching a mentoring programme designed to foster career growth, increase confidence, and build lasting networks for women and allies within the foundation industries.
This programme is tailored to address the current gender imbalance in leadership roles and create a supportive talent pipeline. We are recruiting both mentors and mentees from across the 6 sectors.
Programme strands
There are 2 strands of the programme you can apply to:
Strand 1: Mentor Training:
A key aspect of this programme is ensuring mentors are supported and empowered to enable them to maximise their mentoring impact. The training is aimed at building confidence and a toolkit for new mentors whilst also providing those with previous mentor experience a fresh perspective and additional strategies.
The training will focus on:
- Guidance and support strategies: Providing frameworks for effective mentoring, including goal setting, feedback delivery, and problem-solving.
- Adaptive mentoring and coaching tools: Enhancing the mentor’s ability to understand and respond to the mentee’s needs.
- Continuous development: Mentors will be given resources and access to a support network to further their own professional development during and after the programme.
Strand 2: Structured Mentoring Sessions:
Participants will be carefully matched based on alignment of goals and expectations, ensuring a productive and supportive mentoring relationship.
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As this is a funded opportunity, there is a requirement to fully commit to the programme. The time commitment is around 2 hours a month starting November 2024 and completing in Feb 2025. All training and mentoring can be delivered virtually. Beyond this, we would be looking for participants to act as an advocate for the future of the foundation industries, be a role model and mentor to others, and help drive change across the sector.
We will be hosting an online information and Q&A session on Thursday 3 October, register via zoom.
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To be eligible for this programme you must:
- Work in the foundation industries or their immediate supply chains (construction, automotive, packaging).
- Mentors should be women/allies who have a desire to give back and support the next generation of leaders.
- Mentees must be individuals who are eager to advance in their careers and gain insight into leadership and innovation within their sector.
- Mentees can be from academia studying a relevant foundation industry topic.
We welcome applicants from underrepresented groups, at all stages of their careers, seeking leadership and career development opportunities. Previous experience of mentoring is not required.
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- Information and Q&A session on Thursday 3 October: watch the event recording.
- Application deadline: 23:59 on 13 October 2024
- Mentors will be notified of outcome by 25 October 2024
- Mentor Training will start on 4 November 2024
- Mentoring Meetings will run December 2024 – February 2025
- Programme completes end Feb 2025
Related programmes
Women Innovators in the Foundation Industries (WINFI)
On International Women in Engineering Day 2022, the Innovate UK Business Connect Materials Team and the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge launched the Women Innovators in Foundation Industries (WINFI) programme.
Women in Innovation
Enabling brilliant women across the UK to fully achieve their vision for their businesses and change the world, while championing and celebrating gender diversity throughout UK innovation.