As part of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), much of the focus rightly sits on the engineers shaping our built environment. However, behind the scenes, there are also the people and processes that support those careers to develop and succeed.

In this blog, Tina shares an insight into her role in HR, recruitment and careers engagement at DFC and how this contributes to building a strong and diverse pipeline of our future engineers:

By: Tina Iacono, HR | Business Support

I am proud to have been part of Design Fire Consultants (DFC) for over eight years, working alongside our HR manager Nikki. DFC has grown to employ more than fifty outstanding fire engineers, complemented by an experienced business operations team. One of the things I enjoy most about working in HR, recruitment and careers engagement is the diversity of the role. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, keeping the work fresh and interesting. One day may involve supporting employees with visa applications or preparing employee contracts while the next could involve organising careers fairs across the country and building relationships with universities or responding to team queries and supporting payroll. This variety has aided my development of a wide range of skills, enabled me to meet people from diverse backgrounds and has encouraged continuous learning and adaptation.

It’s a People Business:

When working with potential new recruits, clear communication is key to creating a positive and professional experience. For many, this is their first interaction with DFC, so those early conversations can really shape how the company is perceived. Timely replies help candidates feel valued and respected, while concise communication ensures information is easy to understand and avoids confusion during the recruitment process. Being attentive also demonstrates professionalism and empathy, whether answering questions, providing updates or offering support throughout an application journey. Strong communication not only improves the candidate experience but also strengthens DFC’s reputation and helps build trust and engagement from the very beginning.

The Roadshow – Recruitment Wheel:

The organisation of careers fair attendance forms an important part of our graduate and summer placement recruitment process and makes a real difference to both DFC and individuals, enabling communication, connection and creating opportunities for potential future engineers to succeed. In 2025 we attended eleven of these events up and down the country, from Edinburgh to Sheffield, Birmingham to London. Careers fairs create opportunities that genuinely change lives. A short conversation between one of our established engineers and attendees may lead to internships, apprenticeships, graduate schemes and long-term careers.

Careers fairs have evolved into much more than rows of employer stands and free pens. They are now valuable networking opportunities where businesses, students and graduates can build meaningful connections. Recruitment events promote the DFC company brand, enable us to meet future talented engineers and showcase our exceptional workplace culture which has evolved over the last fifteen years. Events like these also play an important role in encouraging more people, including women, to consider careers in engineering.

Nurturing and Progress:

One of the most valuable aspects of working in HR and recruitment is seeing the team and business grow together. There’s something really rewarding about seeing someone find the right opportunity, watch their confidence grow and see them succeed in their role. At the same time, you can see the positive impact this has on the wider business through a stronger team, better morale and overall success.