Support and visibility for women in the industry.
Today (March 8th), International Women’s Day, the organizer of the ALUMINIUM World Trade Fair, RX, announces the “Women With Metal – ALUMINIUM Awards”, which will be presented for the first time as part of this year’s fair. The awards ceremony will be organised and hosted in cooperation with Women With Metal, the UK Aluminium Federation (ALFED) and Aluminium International Today on the second day of the trade fair, October 9th.
The awards intend to promote equality and diversity in the aluminium industry, recognise outstanding achievements by women and strengthen their position within the sector. They will also acknowledge the efforts of male colleagues who have demonstrated extraordinary support for their female counterparts, serving as allies in the pursuit of gender equality.
Women can do aluminium, too!
“The ALUMINIUM World Trade Fair is not just a platform for the entire aluminium industry, it is a place for the world and a place for everyone – which is why we also want to provide more support and visibility for women in the industry and thus created the ‘Women With Metal – ALUMINIUM Awards’ together with our partners,” explains Yasmin Ouiriemmi, Product Manager of ALUMINIUM at the organizer RX.
Women are still underrepresented in many industries, including the metal and aluminium sector, and often experience less visibility, support, or recognition. Under the motto “Women can do aluminium, too,” the ALUMINIUM Awards aim not only to honour women in the aluminium industry but also to encourage other women to join the industry and assert themselves confidently – a goal that the partners also pursue.
“Women With Metal is incredibly proud to be working with RX for The ALUMINIUM Awards in 2024 to celebrate women working within the aluminium sector and encourage more to join us. Aluminium is a sustainable and innovative material and increased diversity in the sector can only enhance this. With thirty-five years working within the metals sector, I know what a rewarding career this is and I am delighted to be able to shine a spotlight on some wonderful women and allies who are achieving great things. I am very excited to visit Dusseldorf and create the first Aluminium Edition of Women with Metal for The ALUMINIUM Awards”, states Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, CEO & Founder Women With Metal, Managing Director Professional Polishing Services.
Strong women for a strong industry
However, these awards not only aim to recognise the achievements of women in the aluminium industry but also contribute to raising awareness about the skilled labour shortage and promoting innovative solutions. By encouraging women to establish themselves in the aluminium industry, the shortage of qualified professionals can be addressed, and the industry’s competitiveness can be strengthened. The awards represent an important step towards a more diverse and inclusive workforce that considers not only the needs of the industry but also the potential and talents of all genders.
“The Awards are an exciting opportunity, presenting a continuation of sharing and development with other women and building on the important topics and issues concerning nearly 50% of the metals industry workforce today. It will also highlight the huge achievements being made in our sector, champion growth, amplify voices, and pave the way for a more inclusive and thriving professional landscape. Investing in and showcasing the advancement of women in aluminium isn’t just a commitment to diversity; it’s an investment in innovation, excellence, and the future of our industry. I can’t wait to see the nominations and be part of such a game-changing event”, complements Nadine Bloxsome, Membership & Sustainability Manager, UK Aluminium Federation (ALFED) & Editor of Aluminium International Today.
Nominations are now open, offering a comprehensive selection of categories such as “Unsung Shero”, “Role Model”, “Sustainable & Innovative Leader”, “Young Leader”, and “Male Ally”, highlighting the diverse aspects of women’s contributions and engagement as well as their supporters in the aluminium industry. Both self-nominations and nominations by others are welcome, the closing date is June 15th, 2024. A selected jury of eight experts will then decide on all winners, including the recipient of the “Male Ally” Award. The ALUMINIUM event will take place from October 8th to 10th in Düsseldorf, with the awards ceremony scheduled for October 9th on the stage of the ALUMINIUM Conference in Hall 3.
