Celebrating Women at Rullion: Stories of Resilience, Growth, and Support

BLOGBy Rullion on 25 March 2025

At Rullion, we believe that a truly engaged workplace is one where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. As part of Employee Engagement Week, we’re celebrating some of the incredible women in our organisation by sharing their personal stories - stories of resilience, self-belief, and the power of a supportive workplace.

From stepping into new industries and rebuilding confidence to balancing career and family life, their experiences highlight the challenges many women face in the workplace. More importantly, they remind us of the strength that comes from having the right people around you.

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry

"I was called a trailblazer. That moment stuck with me and fuelled my determination to break barriers."Aoife Cawley, Head of Quality & Audit

Starting out in a male-dominated field, Aoife embraced every opportunity to grow, network, and learn. Early in her career, she often found herself as the only woman in the room. Instead of seeing it as a setback, she saw it as an opportunity to pave the way for others. Her advice? “Seek out every opportunity and go for it - you never know where it might take you.”

Rebuilding Confidence and Finding Belonging

"Within three months, my confidence was fully back. I truly love my job and working remotely."Jane Hardman, Candidate Services Administrator

Returning to work after an 18-month break, Jane felt uncertain about stepping into a new industry, working remotely, and being surrounded by younger colleagues. But the right team can make all the difference. With support from her colleagues, she found her confidence again and realised that she was exactly where she was meant to be. “If I’d been in another company, things could have been very different. I’ll always be grateful.”

The Power of Support in Overcoming Challenges

"My manager said, ‘We’ve got your back.’ Those words changed everything."Karon Cascoe Port, Senior Business Services Administrator

Struggling with self-doubt, Karon found comfort in the support of her manager and colleagues. That encouragement gave her the confidence to prioritise her wellbeing and make changes that improved her health and mindset. “It’s a reminder that looking after ourselves - both mentally and physically - is just as important as the work we do.”

Balancing Career and Motherhood

"Balance isn’t about perfection - it’s about knowing that different times call for different priorities."Sammie Jones, Service Delivery Manager

Returning from maternity leave, Sammie grappled with the challenge of balancing her career with family life. Reducing her working days helped, but she soon realised that true balance required flexibility, support, and self-compassion. “We can be successful in both our careers and personal lives if we’re kind to ourselves and recognise that we are enough, just as we are.”

Why These Stories Matter

These experiences highlight the importance of a workplace culture that values support, resilience, and making space for each other to succeed. Whether it’s breaking into a new industry, finding confidence after a career break, or balancing work and family, every woman’s journey is unique - but the need for encouragement and empowerment is universal.

The Rullion Musketeers are the voices behind these stories - the individuals who help create an inclusive and supportive environment within our business. At Rullion, we believe that everyone is unique. Our vision is to “unlock the potential in all of us”, and at the heart of this is inclusion.

We’re proud to create an environment where people feel supported, inspired, and empowered to thrive. Let’s continue to recognise and celebrate the women around us - not just during Employee Engagement Week, but every day.

Want to be part of a team that champions inclusion and personal growth? Join us at Rullion.

Share

Register your CV with us

Get discovered for exciting opportunities—submit your CV and let us connect you with the right role.

More like this

NEWS
Rullion Named Finalists in Two Categories at In-House Recruitment Supplier Awards 2025

Rullion Named Finalists in Two Categories at In-House Recruitment Supplier Awards 2025

Recognised for Customer Experience Our nomination in the Customer Experience category reflects the way we’ve built meaningful, long-term relationships with our clients and candidates. At the heart of our approach is our guiding principle: Happy People = Happy Customers. By integrating real-time feedback through platforms like AskNicely, linking team rewards to satisfaction scores, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement, we’ve created a service model that’s personal, proactive, and consistent. Excellence in Background Screening We’re also proud to be finalists in the Reference Screening Provider category. Our Candidate Services Team supports some of the UK’s most safety-critical and regulated industries. What sets us apart is our blend of efficiency and empathy. By combining technology with named individuals as points of contact; we have made pre-employment screening smooth and supportive for candidates while maintaining rigorous compliance for our clients. Learn more about our background screening solutions. A Word from Our Chief Customer Officer “We’re delighted to be recognised in both the Customer Experience and Background Screening categories. These nominations are a reflection of the passion and dedication our teams bring to every interaction. Whether it’s a hiring manager, contractor, or candidate, we want every person who works with Rullion to feel supported, listened to, and valued.” – Lindsay Harrison, Chief Customer Officer, Rullion Winners will be announced at the awards evening on 1st May 2025. To view the full list of 2025 finalists, visit the In-House Recruitment Supplier Awards website. Need support with background screening or workforce solutions? Let’s talk about how we can help you get work done. Get in touch with us today.

By Rullion on 24 March 2025

Shaping the Future of Nuclear: A Conversation with Jenifer Avellaneda

Shaping the Future of Nuclear: A Conversation with Jenifer Avellaneda

From Passion to Profession Jenifer’s enthusiasm for nuclear energy is contagious. She describes her role at Westinghouse as a commitment to something bigger than just a job.“Everybody shares the same passion,” she says. “It’s not just another day of work. People are excited to take on challenges, mentor others, and collaborate across departments.” That shared enthusiasm fosters an environment of continuous learning, with employees encouraged to expand their knowledge and skills across diverse areas. Jenifer exemplifies this spirit as she balances her full-time role while pursuing a Master’s degree. Though demanding, the combination of challenge and support makes her journey rewarding. Breaking the Myths Around Nuclear One of Jenifer’s missions is to debunk common misconceptions surrounding nuclear energy. Through her social media platform on X as Nuclear Hazelnut, she engages with the public, offering clarity on common concerns and correcting misinformation. “If I had a magic wand, I would erase the negative and false narratives about nuclear,” she says. “We need to engage in open conversations. Most questions are easy for industry professionals to answer; it’s about making the information accessible.” Jenifer advocates for transparency, urging nuclear professionals to engage openly and invite the public into the discussion, “We need to stop shutting the windows and start opening the doors.” The Future of Nuclear: Innovation and Expansion Jenifer envisions nuclear energy as a cornerstone of the clean energy transition. From small modular reactors to fusion research and even space exploration, the possibilities seem endless. “The industry is evolving quickly,” she shares. “I can’t wait to see a micro-reactor in my neighbourhood or in commercial buildings.” However, for nuclear to reach its full potential, the industry must continue attracting new talent from diverse fields. Jenifer is particularly passionate about helping people from all sectors - including marketing, communications, and finance - recognise that nuclear isn’t just for engineers. “There are so many career paths in nuclear,” Jenifer says. “It’s not just about science and engineering - it’s an industry that needs experts in all fields. People often don’t realise that.” Join the Nuclear Renaissance With a global push for clean energy, nuclear innovation is at the forefront, and the need for collaboration and talent has never been greater. Whether you’re an engineer, communications expert, policymaker, or project manager, the nuclear industry needs your skills. Any questions about nuclear? We have a team who are just as passionate - contact us! -- Watch the full interview here.

By Rullion on 14 March 2025

RESOURCE
Securing the Fusion Workforce for the Future: The Talent Race to Power the Next Energy Revolution

Securing the Fusion Workforce for the Future: The Talent Race to Power the Next Energy Revolution

As of 2023, the fusion sector employed just 2,400 people worldwide, with nearly 40% of them holding PhDs. That’s a small workforce for an industry with massive ambitions. So, how are leading fusion organisations tackling the skills gap, attracting top talent, and preparing for the transition from research to commercial power plants? Let’s explore the key trends shaping the future of fusion energy’s workforce. The Fusion Skills Gap: Who’s Needed Now and in the Future? The fusion industry has long been dominated by research-driven roles, requiring advanced qualifications. Today, 75% of fusion workers are scientists or engineers, and 38% hold PhDs. But as fusion moves from the lab to the real world, the talent pool must evolve. Over the next 10 - 15 years, the demand for PhDs will decline, while the need for hands-on engineers, project managers, and technicians will surge. Fusion companies will need more skilled tradespeople to tackle large-scale engineering challenges - not just plasma physicists. By 2040, as commercial power plants come online, fusion firms will be competing with other industries for technicians, electricians, and manufacturing specialists. In-demand skills include: Electrical and mechanical engineering Cryogenics and superconducting magnet design Materials science and neutron shielding Robotics and advanced manufacturing AI, data science, and real-time plasma control For example, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, General Fusion, and Tokamak Energy are all hiring specialists in power electronics, AI-driven plasma control, and high-temperature superconductors - fields that didn’t traditionally overlap with nuclear physics but are now critical. Recruiting the Fusion Workforce: How Companies Are Attracting Talent With a limited talent pool, fusion companies are getting creative in their recruitment strategies: Partnering with Universities: Firms are collaborating with universities to build a steady talent pipeline. Commonwealth Fusion Systems recruits heavily from MIT, while Tokamak Energy sponsors professorships and fusion engineering courses. The UK government has invested £56 million in fusion skills development, funding new doctoral and apprenticeship programmes. Hiring from Adjacent Industries: Fusion firms are bringing in experts from aerospace, automotive, and nuclear fission, where skills in materials science, cryogenics, and project management are transferable. Tokamak Energy’s CEO, for example, came from Rolls-Royce, applying aerospace engineering expertise to fusion. Selling the Mission: Companies are positioning fusion as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revolutionise clean energy. Commonwealth Fusion promotes its work as “more than a job - it’s a mission.” To combat skepticism about fusion always being “30 years away,” firms highlight rapid advancements, such as net energy gain experiments, to show that the future is now. Visualising Fusion Workforce Growth Fusion workforce expansion is likely to start slowly but accelerate steeply in the 2030s. Historically, it has taken around 20 years for new energy technologies to reach a significant share of power generation. Fusion may follow suit, with the first commercial plants in the 2030s and widespread adoption by the 2050s. If this timeline holds, the 2040s could see an intensive period of workforce expansion as fusion moves into the mainstream. The industry is already laying the groundwork by establishing training programmes, attracting diverse talent, and forming policies. These efforts are essential to ensuring that when the fusion revolution arrives, the right people will be in place to power it. The Future of the Fusion Workforce Securing and developing talent may be as critical to fusion’s success as solving the physics. Globally, fusion leaders are addressing skills shortages through partnerships and outreach, striving to retain and inspire their workforce, and working to diversify their teams. They are urging regulators and educators to help remove barriers and create clear pathways into fusion careers. The coming years will test the industry’s ability not only to build reactors but to build the human capacity needed to run them. If current initiatives succeed, the fusion sector’s next generation will be larger, more skilled, and more diverse - ready to deliver on the long-promised potential of fusion energy. If you want to find out more about how Rullion can help you attract talent that will have a positive impact on your organisation, get in touch with: Nicola Rogers, Solutions Directornicola.rogers@rullion.co.uk

By Rullion on 12 March 2025