Sue Partridge, the head of Airbus' Filton site, is a beacon of change and diversity in what was once a homogeneous industry. To put things in perspective, she began as the only woman apprentice before becoming the present overseer of the busy Filton site, where over 2,700 people work on state-of-the-art aviation technology. This article discusses her journey, changes in the sector, and Airbus’ dedication to promoting inclusivity, which are all highlighted by this.
In 1989, Sue Partridge was one of 100 women apprentices at Airbus. Fast-forward to today, and she is now responsible for running the Filton campus with its around 2,700 staff engaged in cutting-edge aviation technology. This career path reflects the larger trend towards improved gender balance in an engineering field historically dominated by men.
Under Partridge's leadership, Airbus Filton has experienced the largest number of career entrants in a decade, with almost 20% of these being women. This is a significant jump from the 1% that it stood for during Partridge’s days as an apprentice; it demonstrates that Airbus is dedicated to removing gender differences and creating opportunities for all sorts of talents.
However, building on data from Royal Academy of Engineering, just 9% of British engineers are from Black, Asian or ethnic minority communities even though these groups make up 27% of engineering degree holders. In this regard Sue Partridge points out how diversity plays an essential role towards innovation and efficiency within the aerospace sector.
In addition to recruitment activities, Airbus has established a STEM academy in Filton to encourage schoolchildren from different socio-cultural backgrounds to explore aerospace professions. Outreach programs like those with local institutions like the University of West England are central to shaping a more diverse future for engineering.
Partridge’s journey to this development began on the floor of Airbus where she worked her way up to leading the green-focussed ‘Wing of Tomorrow’. Undoubtedly, there are issues regarding gender parity and wider representation in engineering positions facing us, yet her stewardship and regard for variety have been suggestive of a brighter path for both Airbus (and the aviation industry itself).
The narrative of Sue Partridge is not about personal accomplishment but rather about how inclusivity can change traditionally male-dominated fields. Today, at Airbus’ Filton site, she is heading an aerospace industry that is becoming more diverse, innovative, and dynamic. Thanks to people like Partridge, Airbus envisages a future with sustainable aviation and technological advancements, and its workforce reflects society’s diversity.
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