Kimberly-Clark Australia Millicent Mill engineer Kathleen De Regla is among the women who pioneering change in Australia’s workforce.
Sunday marked International Women in Engineering Day which was an opportunity to celebrate the impactful contributions of women like Ms De Regla in the field and encourage more females to pursue engineering careers.
While there have been gradual changes in this historically male-dominated industry, a 2022 Engineers Australia report revealed that only 13% of Australia’s engineering workforce is female.
Kimberly-Clark Australia acknowledges this disparity and is actively working to increase female representation.
Recognising past biases in hiring practices and advertisements, the company has made changes to a number of their processes.
As a result, female employees at their Millicent facility have increased from 12 to 60 out of 300 since 2019.
Ms De Regla has been employed as a process improvement engineer at the Millicent Mill since March 2023.
She has shared her experiences and reflections for Women in Engineering Day and advocates for more women to enter the profession.
Originally from the Philippines, this marks her first professional role since moving to Australia.
“Securing a position in engineering was not a walk in the park for me,” Ms De Regla said.
“I applied to numerous roles before Kimberly-Clark extended me the opportunity for an interview.
“Location played a significant part in my decision-making process as I live in Millicent.
“Guided by my sister, who is familiar with Kimberly-Clark, I recognised the potential of this opportunity.
“After connecting with another Filipino employee, I immediately felt a sense of community and a positive workplace atmosphere.”
Ms De Regla has held various engineering positions post-graduation and experienced diverse work environments.
They all had slightly different cultures, challenges and opportunities to learn.
“At Kimberly-Clark Australia, I find joy in witnessing the transformation of raw materials into consumer products,” she said.
“My academic journey through my chemical engineering studies was positive.
“Despite the demands of the course, I found myself in a supportive and uplifting environment.
“While some of my peers opted for different pathways, I remained committed to my course, recognising the value of perseverance in achieving my goals.
“My advice to young women interested in engineering is to pursue your passions.
“I emphasise the importance of studying and not allowing others’ opinions to dictate your path.
“My experience has taught me that gender does not determine capability, and success in the field is based on dedication and the ability to present ideas effectively.”
Reflecting on the under-representation of women in engineering, Ms De Regla believes misconceptions about the nature of engineering roles could be an issue.
“‘I believe that breaking the stigma of engineering being solely manual labour and highlighting its problem-solving nature could attract more women to the industry,” she said.
“It is my firm belief that a diverse workforce enriches the engineering industry.
“By incorporating perspectives from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, teams can make more informed decisions, resulting in a more inclusive and productive work environment.
“Ultimately, diversification leads to enhanced collaboration and better outcomes.”
