Bentley is working to inspire the next generation of female talent from the fields of technology, engineering, design and business as part of its ‘Extraordinary Women’ programme. The British carmaker aims to motivate young females to consider careers in STEM and automotive.
The Extraordinary Women programme is in line with Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy and goal to achieve 30 per cent diverse management by 2025. Building upon the success of the inaugural edition of the programme from last year, this year Bentley took eight students and eight mentors from Saudi Arabia and the UK to its facilities in Crewe. The students were from Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The selected students were given a specially designated mentor, known as a Bentley Pioneer, for regular engagements prior to the visit to Bentley's facilities after undergoing a rigorous selection process earlier this year in partnership with Bentley's partner universities. They spoke with senior automotive executives, went behind the scenes of Bentley's manufacturing processes, and presented their ideas to a panel of Bentley specialists while at the company's headquarters.
The four students from Saudi Arabia were: Nada Ayman Alzahrani, a computer science major, was supervised by Mishaal Ashemimry; Sarah Nahill Alrawi, a finance major, was supervised by Noha Zagzoug; and Reem Mohammed Alsamkari, a cyber security major, was supervised by Nicola Gough.
Member of the Board for Human Resources, Dr Karen Lange, commented: “This is the second edition of the ‘Extraordinary Women’ programme, and we are delighted to welcome even more inspirational young women to our head office this year. I’m particularly pleased to welcome our first group of students from Saudi Arabia. Empowering the future generation of female leaders is a key focus for us, and aligns with the stated vision for the future of the Kingdom under Vision 2030.”
Nada Alzahrani, one of the four students from Dar Al-Hekma University, said: "Participating in Bentley's Extraordinary Women programme has been a life-changing opportunity. I am so grateful for the mentorship and guidance provided by the many experts I have met, and for the truly unique opportunity to visit the company's headquarters. This experience has really ignited my passion for STEM and automotive, and has shown me the limitless possibilities that lie ahead."
