The skills shortage in technology and the need for more engineers is a recurring issue today. Gender equality is often the goal, and broader recruitment the solution. But too rarely is workplace culture a topic of conversation, and everything that happens after that the employment contract is signed.
Being a minority, as women still are in most engineering workplaces, comes with inevitable expectations to conform, explain, and diminish. It is itself a threat to the engineer's mission to find creative solutions to difficult problems.
This is where Wera comes in.
As the Wera network enters its second year of operation, with Scania and the Swedish Transport Administration as continued partners and Saab as a new partner, it is not just a statement of strength. It is a statement of support for a different vision of how we build the technical workplaces of the future.
”Diversity and inclusion are the foundation of Scania’s success. Our commitment to Wera is a long-term commitment to strengthening competence, innovation and leadership. The engineering profession needs more perspectives, and Wera gives female engineers the opportunity to grow and contribute to the sustainable innovation that drives us forward,” says Jeanna Tällberg, Head of People and Culture at Scania.
Wera is a network for female and non-binary engineers, but just as much a learning context for employers. A space where companies can meet engineers as people, not as target groups. Where it's not about the perfect pitch about what a company does, but about everyday life, the experiences and knowledge that already exist among their own employees.
– Infrastructure and technology are developed for people. Then those who shape the solutions must also reflect society. Wera contributes to just that by putting culture and people at the center, says Linn Bröms, Employer Branding Manager at the Swedish Transport Administration.
Wera allows companies to meet female engineers through their employees through mentorship, community and visibility. This creates recognition and space for trusting conversations that can otherwise be difficult to have.
But it's not just about meetings. The network also provides practical support to companies that want to develop a more inclusive work culture that not only attracts more people, but makes people want to stay, grow and take on leadership roles.
– At Saab, we see Wera as an important platform for empowering female engineers and promoting diversity in technology and safety. Through our commitment, we hope to contribute to an inclusive and inspiring environment for all engineers, says Lena Eliasson, HR Manager at Saab.
In 2026, Wera will continue to develop content, meeting places and collaborations for its members, with the ambition to create long-term relationships between engineers, employers and social actors throughout the country.
Contact:
info@weraco.se