IWD spotlight: Nicola Carroll
To mark International Women’s Day, we’re proud to highlight the women building careers across the protective coatings industry. This year, we’re featuring Nicola Carroll, a Senior Quality Specialist at Curtiss-Wright’s Evesham site – one of our Train the painter registered companies.
Nicola completed her Level 2 ICorr Coating Inspection course with us and is currently studying for her Level 3 qualification. Alongside her day-to-day inspection role, she continues to develop her technical knowledge and experience within the industry. We spoke to Nicola about how she got started in coatings, what her role involves, and what advice she would give to other women considering a similar path.
Q. Can you tell us about your journey into the coatings industry and what led you to become a Quality Technician?
A. My journey into the coatings industry began indirectly. I started as a Quality Administrator at Curtiss‑Wright, where I gained early exposure to the documentation, compliance, and process‑driven side of manufacturing. Even though I wasn’t hands‑on with coatings at that stage, the role placed me right at the intersection of quality requirements, customer expectations, and production realities. Over time, I found myself increasingly involved in areas that touched coatings – reviewing specifications, supporting audits, and helping resolve issues linked to surface preparation and finishing. That exposure sparked my interest and gave me a deeper appreciation for how critical coatings are to performance and reliability. My progression from there has been a combination of being ready when opportunities appeared and working for a company that genuinely invests in its people. Curtiss‑Wright has always encouraged training and development, and that support allowed me to build the technical knowledge and confidence needed to move into a more hands‑on quality role. That’s ultimately what led me to become a Quality Technician.
Q. What has your experience been like as a woman working in quality inspection within the coatings industry?
A. My experience as a woman working in quality within the coatings industry has shown me that respect is built on technical knowledge and hands‑on experience to support your decisions. When people see that you understand the processes, the specifications, and the practical realities of the job, they trust your judgement regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman. Competence speaks louder than anything else.
Q. Have you encountered any challenges along the way, and how did you navigate or overcome them?
A. There have been many challenges along the way, such as difficult personalities, unexpected job issues, or processes not going the way we planned. These situations are a natural part of working in coatings and quality. What makes the difference is how you respond to them. I’ve found it’s essential to take a collaborative approach—drawing on the experience within the team, asking questions, and sometimes just getting everyone together for a quick brainstorming session. When people feel involved in the solution, you get better ideas, stronger buy‑in, and a much more positive outcome overall
Q. From your perspective, how has the industry evolved in terms of opportunities and representation for women?
A. I haven’t come across many female inspectors in the wider coatings industry, but at Curtiss‑Wright’s Evesham division the picture is very different. Half of our quality team is made up of women, which brings a nice balance of perspectives and a dynamic that feels genuinely positive. Across the whole Evesham site, around a quarter of the workforce are women working in key operational areas, not just support roles. That level of representation gives the site a distinctive feel and shows that women can and do thrive in technical, hands‑on environments.
Q. What advice would you give to other women who are considering a career in industrial coatings or quality inspection?
A. Advice I would offer to other women considering a career in the coatings or quality industry is this: these fields can be incredibly rewarding, and one of the most important factors in building confidence early on is choosing the right environment. I always encourage women entering these areas to look for a company that provides strong technical training, structured development, and genuine opportunities to gain hands‑on industry experience. It’s also essential to find an organisation with a clear ethos of investing in its people. When you’re supported in developing your skills and given space to grow, your confidence and capability follow naturally.
Nicola’s role as a Quality Technician reflects the mix of technical skill, attention to detail, and real-world problem-solving that defines quality inspection in coatings. Thank you Nicola for sharing your insight and experience – and for inspiring other women considering a path into this industry!
