Developing female talent
The Daring Ones
Daring to take their rightful place in the industry
At Schmidt Groupe, there are still too few women in technical and IT roles, or in production management positions. This situation calls for a concrete response: ‘Les Audacieuses’, a programme designed to help female employees progress towards leadership roles in environments where they are sometimes in the minority.
The aim is not to create a separate career path. Rather, it is about removing real barriers, which are often only whispered about: not feeling qualified, hesitating to apply, fearing failure, lacking female role models, or wondering how to balance managerial responsibilities, the demands of the workplace and personal life.
Starting from the ground up, not from a preconceived idea
Before developing the programme, Schmidt Groupe brought together13 female employees from technical rolesfor a collaborative workshop. This opportunity to listen helped to find the right words for the right topics.
The discussions raised some simple yet crucial questions:
How can you pluck up the courage to speak up in a meeting? How should you position yourself when faced with an internal opportunity? How can you assert your ambition without having to over-justify yourself? How can you envisage yourself in a managerial role when female role models are still few and far between?
This feedback served as a starting point. ‘Les Audacieuses’ was designed to address these very practical situations, offering tools, guidance and safe spaces. Their names are Jennifer, Anaïs, Christelle, Armelle, … Each brings her own story, her successes and, at times, her doubts. They all share the same determination: to give themselves the freedom to grow, to speak up,to share their questions, to feeltrulyheard, and then to envisage the future with greater confidence.
An initial group of19female employees
Launched in late 2025, the programme brings together an inaugural cohort of19female employees selected for their potential for career progression. They come from technical, industrial and IT roles, as well as support functions.Over the course of several months, they will work together across three key areas.
What the programme really focuses on
- Having the courage to applywhen a vacancy seems challenging.
- Express your planswithout waiting for others to guess what they are.
- Speaking upin a technical group setting.
- Understanding what’s expectedof a management role.
- Identifying your strengthswithout downplaying your experience.
- Build connectionswith other women committed to advancing their careers.
Les Audacieuses, in brief
Who is it for?
Female employees with potential, particularly those in technical, industrial, IT or support roles.
Why?
To encourage women’s progression into management roles in sectors that are still predominantly male-dominated.
How?
Through workshops, mentoring, individual coaching, co-development circles and peer-to-peer discussions.
When?
An initial group of19female employees was launched at the end of 2025. The programme is set to be rolled out gradually in 2026.
What difference does it make?
More visible career paths, better identification of barriers, clearer career goals and a more inclusive management culture.
The idea is to provide guidance, build confidence, and then help each female employee take a very tangible step forward: to have the courage to assert themselves, speak up, apply for roles, and envisage themselves in a management role. Clélia Simon, Director of Talent Development
A movement set to grow
‘Les Audacieuses’ is launching in technical, IT and industrial roles, where gender imbalances remain most evident. Its gradual roll-out through to 2026 will enable us to measure its impact: access to senior roles, internal promotions, trends in female applications, and talent retention.
At Schmidt Groupe, gender diversity is not merely a statistic. It is built through career paths, the assumption of responsibility and changing perceptions. One promotion at a time. One application at a time. One bold move at a time.
