Lyon, March 19 – The 11th regional Innovatech Challenge is being held today in Lyon, with more than 60 high school and university students participating. The initiative seeks to inspire young women to pursue careers in technical sectors, particularly in industry and technology, amidst persistent recruitment difficulties in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
A Competition to Propel Young Women into Technical Professions
Organized by the association “Elles bougent,” the Innovatech Challenge returns to Lyon for its 11th regional edition. Today, March 19, over 60 participants are expected at ESME for an immersive day dedicated to innovation and the industry of the future.
The competition’s format is straightforward: intergenerational teams comprising high school students, university students, and female professionals are tasked with conceiving an innovative product or service, which they then present to a jury. Each group receives guidance from female engineers or technicians from partner companies.
Since its inception ten years ago, the program has reached more than 5,000 young women. It has progressively expanded nationwide, growing from 7 regional events in 2017 to 22 local editions in 2026.
A Skills Challenge for Industry and Tech
Beyond the event itself, the Innovatech Challenge addresses a significant economic issue: technical professions are struggling to recruit, especially in the industrial and digital sectors.
In France, women remain a minority in these fields. They represent approximately a quarter of engineers and less than 20% of the workforce in digital technology. In more advanced technological domains, such as artificial intelligence or cybersecurity, their proportion drops below 15%.
Concurrently, demand is skyrocketing. Across Europe, nearly 1.5 million positions related to digital and environmental transitions could be available by 2030.
Therefore, the stakes extend beyond gender equality, directly impacting companies’ competitiveness and their capacity for innovation.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region Under Pressure
This issue is particularly pronounced in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which boasts nearly 480,000 industrial employees and over 19,500 establishments, making it France’s leading industrial region in terms of employment.
Simultaneously, the digital sector is experiencing robust growth, with over 70,000 jobs and nearly a fifth of the region’s new job creations in recent years.
Despite this dynamism, companies face persistent recruitment difficulties in technical professions. The feminization of these roles emerges as a strategic lever that remains underexploited.
However, positive signs are appearing among younger generations. Women now constitute 34% of engineers under 30, compared to 22% among older cohorts. While still insufficient, this evolution confirms a fundamental trend.
A Concrete Lever for Local Businesses
For partner companies, the Innovatech Challenge offers a dual benefit: it strengthens their employer brand and helps identify future talent. Several major industrial and technological groups are involved, including Alstom, Schneider Electric, Thales, Valeo, and Enedis.
The role of the female mentors is central. They embody tangible career paths and help overcome barriers related to stereotypes. The event also serves as a crucial orientation tool, intervening at a key moment when educational choices are made, and perceptions play a decisive role.
Towards the National Final
The winning teams from this regional stage will advance to the national final, scheduled for May 6 at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris.
For the participants, the experience extends far beyond a mere competition. It often represents a first contact with the corporate world and a catalyst for professional trajectories.
For economic stakeholders, the message is clear: the battle for skills is being fought today, and the feminization of technical professions has become a strategic imperative in its own right.
Source: https://www.lyon-entreprises.com/actualites/article/a-lyon-le-challenge-innovatech-veut-accelerer-la-feminisation-de-lindustrie
