NI Water has marked International Women in Engineering Day (23 June) by profiling Higher Level Apprentice Katie Harper, whose work on live capital schemes is helping to deliver vital water and wastewater infrastructure for customers across Northern Ireland.

This year's theme, #EngineeringIntelligence, recognises the expertise, judgement and leadership women contribute to engineering, bringing together human creativity and technological progress.

For Katie, engineering intelligence is being honed every day through practical experience, problem-solving and decision-making on real projects that support communities and safeguard the environment.

Working alongside experienced colleagues, she is gaining first-hand insight into how engineers balance risk, cost and programme while ensuring schemes are completed safely, efficiently and to the standards required for critical public services.

Katie said: "Engineering is about much more than learning the theory. On live projects, you have to understand the data, ask the right questions and think carefully about the impact of every decision. My apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to build confidence, learn from others and contribute to work that makes a real difference to people's daily lives." She added: "It is encouraging to see more women considering engineering as a career. You do not have to wait until you are years into the profession to have a voice. Even early in your career, your perspective matters, and apprenticeships are a great way to develop the skills, judgement and confidence needed to help shape future infrastructure."

NI Water said Higher Level Apprenticeships are central to developing the next generation of engineers, strengthening in-house capability and creating a more diverse pipeline of talent for the future.

Dr Sara Venning, NI Water CEO who has a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, said: "International Women in Engineering Day provides an opportunity to celebrate women working across the sector and to encourage more girls and young women to consider careers in engineering. NI Water is proud to support that ambition by promoting routes into the profession and showcasing the contribution of women across its business.

"Katie's story is a strong example of engineering intelligence in action. She is building technical knowledge while also developing the confidence to question, interpret information and contribute to practical decisions on live capital projects. That blend of curiosity, judgement and teamwork is exactly what the future of engineering needs."

Dr Venning added: "As a utility responsible for delivering essential services every day, NI Water needs people with different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking. Growing our own talent through apprenticeship programmes helps build organisational resilience and ensures women like Katie are helping shape how we deliver critical infrastructure for generations to come. To find out more about current employment opportunities at NI Water, visit www.niwater.com/careers."