Following on from a popular panel at Innovations in Testing, we invite the audience in Europe to listen and share as we explore systemic barriers, and how assessment serves as a powerful lever for change. This session will open with a summary from related panels and research before continuing the conversation around how inclusive testing practices and thoughtful credentialing can open doors, support re-entry to work, and promote career progression. With a focus on gender equity, insights will resonate with broader efforts to build fairer, more inclusive experiences for all. The audience will be invited to share their own stories and solutions to shape the ongoing discussion, and in response to feedback, we will discuss how your organisation can introduce training to stimulate conversation and remove stigma attached to life situations. We also flip the narrative to ask how we encourage men into traditionally empathetic roles like nursing, not just encouraging women into STEM careers.