The Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) industry is evolving, opening up new opportunities for women. Despite this progress, women still face unique challenges in advancing their careers. One powerful strategy to overcome these challenges is mentorship, which can significantly drive career growth.

How Mentorship Supports Women’s Career Growth in MEP

Mentorship is crucial for career development, especially for women in the MEP industry. It can help navigate the industry’s complexities, build confidence, and access new opportunities. Studies, including one from Harvard Business Review, show that employees with mentors are promoted five times more often than those without one. This is particularly true in regions like MENA and APAC, where women often face additional cultural barriers in the workforce. Mentorship also leads to increased job retention, which is critical for long-term success in specialized industries like MEP and MEP design.

Why Mentorship is Crucial in MEP

The MEP industry is highly technical, challenging and often male-dominated, making it difficult for women to advance. Mentorship provides a strong support system, offering several key benefits:

• Career Development Guidance: Mentors help women understand industry trends, identify skill development opportunities, and navigate workplace challenges, leading to clearer career goals.
• Network Expansion: A mentor can introduce mentees to a wider professional network. In MEP, strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and contractors can significantly impact career growth.
• Confidence Building: Mentors encourage women to take on leadership roles, pursue promotions, and tackle challenging projects, helping them grow personally and professionally.
• Overcoming Gender Bias: Mentorship helps women address workplace bias and advocate for themselves, creating a more inclusive environment in traditionally male-dominated industries like MEP.

Finding a Mentor in MEP

Finding a mentor in the MEP industry can transform your career. Here are some practical steps to help you get started:

• Reach out to professionals you admire within your company, industry associations, or LinkedIn groups. Mentorship often starts with an informal connection.
• Many organizations offer structured mentorship programs that connect you with experienced professionals and provide a supportive community of women in MEP.
• Don’t limit yourself to MEP mentors. Professionals from related fields or with strong leadership skills can still offer valuable career insights.
• When approaching a potential mentor, clearly communicate what you hope to gain from the relationship—whether it’s career advice, leadership development, or networking opportunities.

For experienced professionals, becoming a mentor can be just as rewarding. Sharing your knowledge and supporting others helps encourage diversity and growth in the MEP industry.

Mentorship: A Catalyst for Change

For women in MEP, mentorship is more than just a tool for career advancement; it’s a catalyst for change. It empowers women to overcome obstacles, grab new opportunities, and develop into leaders who will shape the industry’s future. Whether you’re looking for a mentor or offering guidance to others, mentorship furthers a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative MEP industry.

At Energi People, we are dedicated to supporting women in engineering across the UK, Europe, MENA, and APAC regions. We believe mentorship is key to fostering growth and success for women in MEP. If you’re looking to advance your career or explore new opportunities, our team is here to connect you with the right mentors and opportunities.

Further Reading

• Women in Engineering Organisation
• Society of Women Engineers
• IEEE – The professional home for the engineering and technology community worldwide
• Women of MENA in Tech
• Engineering Talent Market Update 2024