Seed of an Engineer was pioneered by Kamilia Barthoux, a Powertrain Installation Manager with Volvo Group in Lyon, France, who knows firsthand what it means to have access to education.
“I am the first woman in my family to pursue higher education. My mother left school at the age of nine to take care of her younger brothers and sisters. My maternal grandmother never learned to read and still signs her name with a cross. I am deeply proud of these women – their courage and resilience. But I have also seen, up close, what the lack of certain skills can lead to: dependence, frustration, sometimes even shame. These emotions leave a mark and remind us how access to knowledge can change a life. Engineering, for me, was a door to the world. It gave me professional independence, but above all, personal independence – the real possibility to choose how and with whom I want to live my life. It allowed me to overcome mental, social, and cultural barriers, to travel, to learn, and to contribute to projects that matter,” says Kamilia, who wants to offer the same opportunity she enjoyed to the next generation.
Why early action matters
Our ambition is to reach 35% women in all jobs and management positions across Volvo Group by 2030, and the gender gap in engineering remains a clear area of focus. Today, less than 28% of engineering students in France are women, and the numbers are even lower in technical programs and industry roles. The challenge is clear: if we want to diversify the talent pool, we must start much earlier, before stereotypes and self-doubt take root.
“I would love this freedom [to pursue a career in engineering] to be accessible to every child – girl, or boy. Today, as a mother – and especially as the mother of a daughter – I would love her to know that anything is possible. That her gender, her background, or her social environment should never limit her ambitions. But the reality is that engineering still lacks women and diversity. And in a world facing immense challenges – energy transition, sustainable mobility, artificial intelligence – we need all kinds of intelligence and perspectives,” adds Kamilia.
The Seed of an Engineer program
Recognizing that gender and skill stereotypes form as early as age 6 or 7, the Seed of an Engineer program targets primary school children with hands-on workshops that demystify engineering and highlight its creative, collaborative side. These workshops, already piloted with hundreds of students, are designed to be fun, practical, and empowering. Children work in teams to solve real-world challenges, guided by inspiring role models from the engineering field.
“Together with Volvo Group colleagues, we go into schools to plant a seed – a seed of confidence and boldness. Our workshops focus on hands-on activities, playfulness, and fun, so that children can experience, at their level, the skills engineers use every day: imagining, designing, testing, collaborating. We explain what an engineer is in simple words: someone who turns ideas into solutions to improve life, protect the planet, or explore space,” says Kamilia.
The power of role models
A central pillar of the initiative is the visibility of female engineers and leaders. By introducing children to diverse role models, the program breaks down stereotypes, builds confidence, and helps girls imagine themselves in technical careers. For the women involved, it’s also an opportunity to strengthen their sense of purpose and gain recognition within the company.
“We share inspiring role models – women and men who changed the world. And most importantly, we let children create, invent, build, test. Because it’s by doing that they discover what they’re capable of. So far, we have already reached 700 children and even organized a special session inside Renault Trucks at Volvo Group University, welcoming an entire school on-site. Today, the program includes three different workshops, tailored for primary school students from ages 8 to 11 – and we’re just getting started,” says Kamilia.
