Women in Design and Make: How SKETS Studio is breaking barriers, Insights from the CEO
In a recently held event titled “Women in Design and Make”, leaders from various sectors gathered to shed light on the role of women in industries such as manufacturing, construction, architecture, automotive, and entertainment.
Among the line-up of key speakers was Ms. Nimisha Bansal, CEO and Co-Founder of SKETS Studio, a global leader in design documentation and BIM services. The event was marked by other notable figures, including the Consulate of the United States and the CEO of AutoDesk, gesturing towards the gravity of the discussions taking place.
A Progressive Platform: Focus on women leadership in different sectors
The event served as a platform to delve into the challenges, successes, and trends that impact women in traditionally patriarchal fields. With technology and inclusivity at the core of this event, the gathering explored the changing dynamics in industries where women are not just participating but leading projects.
Nimisha Bansal’s presence at the event stood out, as she shared valuable insights on the impact of technology in shaping the future of architecture and design, particularly when it comes to increasing female participation. In her address, she spoke about the crucial role technology plays in making workplaces more accessible, efficient, and secure for women.
The role of technology in women empowerment
Ms. Bansal highlighted how technology has made it easier for professionals, especially women, to manage demanding roles while balancing personal commitments. The advent of technology in the architecture landscape has made it possible to perform critical tasks such as BIM coordination directly from the office, eliminating the need for site visits and interactions with contractors.
“This is a game changer for women who may otherwise struggle with the physically demanding aspects of the job”, she said. She went on to emphasize that the ability to WFH or join meetings via platforms like Microsoft Teams has made it easier for women to stay connected and involved, even during maternity leave.
Her comments resonated with the audience, and the consensus across sectors such as automotive, construction, and entertainment was clear that technology has significantly improved women’s ability to grow in these fields.
Dilemma of Disconnect: Resuming work after a gap, its challenges and how SKETS solved it
Despite the advantages technology brings, Ms. Bansal also pointed out that returning to work after maternity leave remains a challenge for many women. “The gap of 6 months during maternity leave is substantial. When women return to work, they often feel disconnected from their colleagues and may struggle to catch up on important client information or project updates”, she explained.
However, SKETS Studio has implemented policies that help mitigate this issue. According to Ms. Bansal, allowing women to join project calls and meetings virtually before their official return to the office has been highly effective in keeping them engaged. This way, they stay connected and can participate in the day-to-day discussions, which helps them catch up before they return physically to the office, she added.
Females at the Forefront: SKETS Studio’s commitment to gender equality
As the conversation turned to predictions and trends for the future, Ms. Bansal shared an interesting statistic.
At SKETS Studio, nearly 50% of managerial roles are held by women, a significant achievement in an industry where gender parity is still a work in progress. “This is far better than industry standards and speaks volumes about SKETS’ commitment to create an equal and inclusive work environment”, she shared.
Women’s Representation Across Industries: A varying landscape
The discussion at the roundtable revealed the stark contrast in women’s representation across different industries. While the IT sector shows a good female participation, the automotive industry, for instance, faces a significant shortfall of women engineers. The construction sector similarly reflects a gender gap in the workforce, with limited female participation. The entertainment industry, including the rapidly growing gaming sector, continues to be largely dominated by men as well. These insights reflect a huge challenge that many sectors still face when it comes to gender diversity. All these aspects highlight the importance of creating a more inclusive environment where women can thrive.
Innovation and Inclusivity: SKETS’ inclusive policies
The event was not just about discussing the issues, it was about finding common solutions and sharing best practices that could benefit all sectors. For SKETS Studio, the event was a platform to reflect on its own practices and share ideas with other industry leaders. Ms. Bansal’s emphasis on engaging women early, even before their official return to the office, sparked interest and led other organizations to consider implementing similar policies to enhance female participation in their respective companies.
Moving towards a more Inclusive future
To conclude, this event was not just a discussion, it was a call to action. By sharing best practices and pushing for change, SKETS Studio will continue to help shape a future where women in design, construction, architecture, automotive, and other sectors can grow without barriers.
