Engineering has no gender – competence and passion matter

Interview with Anna Nawrocka – Production Planning Specialist at Amiblu Poland

Engineering changes everyday life and helps tackle global challenges. How does your work at Amiblu contribute to addressing the climate crisis, ensuring access to water, and modernizing water and sewage networks?
At Amiblu, we know our work truly matters. We deliver systems that secure access to safe drinking water and help communities manage water more effectively, for example through retention solutions. Extreme weather is becoming more common – long droughts are followed by sudden floods that devastate communities. Retention is crucial, and our GRP pipe systems capture and store water when it’s needed most. The challenge is that people often only notice the importance of infrastructure once it fails, but we must act earlier, before it’s too late. Water is life, and managing it responsibly is key to our future.

What inspired you to choose engineering as your career path?
Engineering has always fascinated me. Since childhood, I loved practical tasks, and my father inspired my curiosity for all things technical. At university, I chose production engineering management and soon realized how rewarding it was. Today, I plan the production of GRP pipes using Flowtite technology. Customer Service provides the order and specifications, and it’s my responsibility to ensure that exactly the right product is delivered – one that performs 100% as expected. Of course, I have guidelines, but my expertise allows me to verify the details – checking codes, specifications, and certifications. This gives me a real sense of responsibility and pride, because I know my work directly impacts the quality and reliability of our products.

Engineering still needs more specialists, especially women. How do you see the role of women in engineering, and what does your presence mean in this field?
Women bring enormous value to engineering – not only through technical expertise, but also by offering diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems. Although there are still fewer women than men in this field, the numbers are growing. I feel proud to demonstrate that women can excel in engineering. It’s a challenging yet deeply rewarding profession. For me, engineering has no gender. What matters is competence, knowledge, and passion. I hope my example can inspire other young women to see that there is absolutely a place for them in this industry.

What has been your personal experience as a woman engineer at Amiblu? Do you feel the company supports women in developing their careers?
At Amiblu, I truly feel that what matters are skills and knowledge – not gender. My journey has shown me that if you’re committed and eager to learn, you can grow here on equal terms. A big part of my development came from my supervisor, who shared his expertise and trusted me with increasingly complex tasks. That trust allowed me to step up – and today, I’m confident I can cover his responsibilities when needed. That kind of support builds confidence and shows how much Amiblu invests in its people.

You mentioned that it is important for you to contribute to sustainable development. What motivates you most when working on projects that make a difference for people and the planet?
What motivates me most is knowing that our products directly improve people’s lives. Thanks to Amiblu solutions, someone can simply turn on the tap and enjoy safe water instead of carrying it from a well. Our systems often work invisibly underground, but they protect cities from flooding and ensure wastewater is safely managed. This is infrastructure people rarely notice – until it fails. On top of that, Amiblu puts sustainability at the core: we cooperate with local suppliers to lower CO₂ emissions, and our pipes are extremely durable, so they don’t need to be replaced frequently. In Torun, for example, one of our sewage pipelines has been in service for over 50 years. This makes a huge difference for both communities and the environment.

Engineering is not just about technology, but also about responsibility for the future. What would you like to say to young people – especially on World Engineering Day – who are considering a career in this field?
My advice would be: go for it, and don’t be afraid. Engineering opens doors to endless opportunities and allows you to shape the future – not only for local communities but also for the planet as a whole. I’m proud that Amiblu is a patron of World Engineering Day, and I’m grateful for the chance to share my role. It motivates me to keep growing and contributing. Every engineer is part of something bigger, and knowing that my work has a real impact gives me immense satisfaction.