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Fagor Ederlan’s role and involvement with gender equality is closely linked to our cooperative identity. In a predominately male dominated industrial sector, women make up 19% of our workforce, with equal pay and types of work between both sexes. 58% of the Governing Board, our highest executive body, is made up of women, as are 38% of the Group’s management centres. With regard to 8M, we spoke with Edurne Otxoa, doctor and head of the Material Science laboratory at the Edertek technology centre. Edurne, who epitomises many of Fagor Ederlan’s values, expresses her good fortune at being able to work in the laboratory of the Group’s technology centre, EDERTEK, “together with extraordinary colleagues” and views the recent impetus behind the company’s Equality as very positive.

Automotive engineering and science. How do you view the role of women in these areas?

The automotive sector is very male dominated; from manufacturing, through workshops and dealerships, to advertising, where most of the ads are aimed at male customers. Little by little, women are gaining greater representation in society and there are now more women working in the automotive industry, still not all that many, but this is gradually changing. Part of this change is due to the fact that large companies within the sector are working on equality policies, as well as technological advances that are reducing the physical demands of certain jobs, which, in my opinion, is allowing women to enter a traditionally masculine sector.

Within the scientific field, the importance of academic performance, namely the pursuit of doctoral and post-doctoral scholarships is extremely relevant. Women typically obtain better results in this field and excel in scientific careers. However, careers in science are lengthy, providing little security or assurance and are almost always, at least at present, low paid and dependent on public funding to be able to conduct research work. Should motherhood enter the picture, then it is almost impossible to continue with the demands of a scientific career: keeping up to date with the latest advances, publishing papers, attending congresses, travelling abroad, testing... Consequently many women end up abandoning the career as it is not compatible with reduced working hours and childcare, in addition to a greater need for stable employment.

Nevertheless you are an example of a scientific career. What was your training process like up until you came here?

The local universities are quite general in nature so, in my case, I went to Germany to specialise. It was a great experience to be surrounded by professors who were true experts in their subjects and to be able to do internships using cutting-edge resources around people with years of experience in research and work in metallurgy and casting. To tell the truth, I had no plans and was not even sure that I wanted to devote myself to science, however, opportunities arose and I was lucky to be there and I took advantage of them.

And when you finished your education in Germany?

I decided to return home, I did my doctorate at MU, under the supervision of Iñaki Hurtado, whom I had met in Germany, collaborating with EDERTEK, the Fagor Ederlan foundry plant in Usurbil, and FOSECO, ending up as the person in charge of the EDERTEK material science laboratory.

In 2015, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established, which took place on 11 February and this month we are celebrating 8M. What is your opinion about these initiatives and why do you think society is promoting them?

I appreciate these days so very much. In my opinion society cannot allow half of the population not to participate in science. Regardless of how positive it is that people are becoming aware of such facts, it is crucial to improve and standardise family reconciliation policies. It is still mainly women who choose to reduce working hours to care for their families, which clearly prevents women from continuing to advance professionally.

Why do you think there is not a much sharper focus on women’s professional role in technology and industry?

Generally because there has been a tendency to nudge us towards other fields such as healthcare; I am referring to professions such as nursing, medicine or health support, to give a few examples, or careers in humanities. Technology and science have branched out in a spectacular fashion, so schools/colleges should explain all the training/work opportunities that now exist. Many initiatives can be implemented to instill interest in science among the very young, such as robotic or technology related contests... Companies should start working more closely with universities and vocational training centres to train their future workers in the skills they need and to attract talent. Initiatives such as dual vocational training are of great benefit, or companies organising open days more often.

Your work environment in the EDERTEK laboratory, Fagor Ederlan’s technology centre, is mainly female. What do you think of this?

I am fortunate to be surrounded by extraordinary colleagues in the laboratory, most of whom are women. Although probably just by chance, I do appreciate this fact because of the way things get done: devotion, attention and a woman’s perspective when carrying out tasks such as preparing samples or writing up reports, it is noticeable and a big plus. We work as a team, supporting the various research and development projects conducted at EDERTEK, as well as performing many failure mode analyses or “autopsies” on parts, and doing so in this work environment, with this team, is a real treat.

How are you going to spend 8M in the laboratory?

In a very special, assertive way. Added to which, one of our colleagues is celebrating her birthday, so that will also help create a festive mood in the laboratory.

How do you assess the role of women at Fagor Ederlan and Edertek?

As the cooperative we are, we are an egalitarian organisation. Men and women doing the same job are not allowed to be paid differently, so there is no gender gap. Pay is based on the job description and the duties performed, for which you need to meet certain training requirements. In addition, the organisational structure is more transversal, collaborative and open, preventing any abuse of power from occurring. In addition, an Equality Plan has recently been created, which will surely help a great deal to reinforce equality between men and women. My experience as a woman at Fagor Ederlan has been very positive. Obviously, at first you have to work harder to make a place for yourself and gain the respect of your colleagues, especially among the more seasoned ones, but after that initial period, you become part of the team and your work develops more naturally.

As a woman, what would you ask of society and the business world?

It is necessary to attract talent and that there should be equal conditions for all. What is more, working conditions in scientific careers should be improved and clear policies that favour a work/life balance implemented. More open days should be held, incentives for technological contests... so that from an early age, girls see that they can work as scientists and that there is a future for them in these fields. We hope that our daughters have more opportunities than we did to train and choose their future and that equality in all areas of society and work is guaranteed, to build a better future for all.