Learn about last year’s EDI projects and achievements
As we reflect on the past year, it is inspiring to see the strides we’ve made in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). The 2024 EDI Year in Review highlights our commitment to building an inclusive environment where everyone can do and feel their best.
We know that diverse minds bring diverse ideas, and by embedding EDI principles across our institution, we aim to advance excellence in engineering and technology. This year’s review offers a comprehensive look at our progress, achievements, and the areas where we continue to strive for improvement.
As part of our commitment to ongoing progress and transparency, we are proud to publish our fourth EDI Year in Review guide. These annual documents enable our Members, Volunteers, Partners and Colleagues to find out about what we’ve been up to in terms of EDI, and where we plan to place our focuses for the coming year.
Gender Parity and Partnerships
One of the standout moments of 2024 was the integration of Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) into the IET family in February. This partnership aims to accelerate the journey towards gender parity within the engineering and technology sectors.
In March, we held the first meeting of our newly established EDI Board, which met three times throughout the year to oversee and advise on EDI activities. This board plays a crucial role in ensuring that our EDI initiatives are effectively implemented and aligned with our strategic goals.
Supporting Neurodiversity
Our commitment to neuroinclusion saw significant advancements in 2024. In March, we hosted the ‘Supporting neuroinclusion at work: One size doesn’t fit all’ panel event, providing valuable insights on supporting neurodivergent colleagues. Additionally, in July, we published the ‘Supporting neuroinclusion at work’ toolkit, offering practical guidance for organisations and individuals to help neurodivergent employees feel comfortable and perform their best.
You can find all of these resources linked below.
Neurodiversity in Engineering and Technology report
Understanding neurodivergence at work toolkit
One size doesn't fit all webinar
Expanding EDI Member Networks
To further support our members, we established two new EDI member networks: Disability and LGBTQ+. These networks provide platforms for members to expand their connections, gain peer support, and engage directly with the IET on how we can best support them. These groups, alongside our Neurodiversity member network, underscore our commitment to building an inclusive community where all members feel a sense of belonging.
Celebrating GEM in STEM
In collaboration with RS Grassroots and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE), we continued our support for the annual REflect campaign. This year, we celebrated the ‘Top 24 for 2024 GEM in STEM,’ highlighting 24 exceptional STEM trailblazers from Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) backgrounds. Their achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration for the next generation of STEM professionals.
Young Woman Engineer Alumnae Event
In November, we hosted the second Young Woman Engineer (YWE) alumnae event at IET Birmingham: Austin Court. This gathering brought together past YWE award winners to collaborate and network, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. The event was a testament to the incredible contributions of women in engineering and the importance of supporting their continued success.
EDI in Education
Our educational initiatives reached new heights in 2024. During the 2023/24 academic year, we delivered 218 IET Faraday Challenge Days across the UK, involving 518 schools and 7,011 students, 47% of whom were girls and 31% from underprivileged schools. The FIRST LEGO League programme also saw record participation, with 8,960 teams and 58,536 students engaged across the UK and Ireland.
Our IET Education Volunteers played a pivotal role in engaging young people with hands-on activities and inspirational talks, distributing over 80,000 careers materials to students and parents. The IET Engineering Kids’ Futures campaign continued to gather momentum, with the government calling for a curriculum review and more support for teachers based on our recommendations.
Monthly Highlights
Throughout the year, we celebrated numerous milestones and events that showcased our commitment to EDI:
January: Reaccreditation of our Workplace Wellbeing Charter, achieving ‘Excellence’ in Culture and Inclusion, Environment and Sustainability, and Health and Safety.
March: Launch of new mandatory EDI eLearning modules for all colleagues and celebration of International Women’s Day.
June: Participation in the Big Bang Fair and celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
October: Celebration of Black History Month and Women’s Health Week.
December: Hosting the 2024 YWE ceremony and celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we move into 2025, we are excited to share our updated EDI strategy, which will guide our efforts over the next five years. Our renewed focus will particularly emphasise gender and disability, ensuring these critical areas receive the attention they deserve. We remain dedicated to increasing awareness and improving accessibility for our neurodivergent members, volunteers, and colleagues.
Our EDI Board will continue to play a pivotal role in informing and guiding our actions, ensuring that our focus remains on the areas most needed within the industry. Collaboration with partners like WISE will be essential in driving meaningful change.
The progress made in 2024 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in our EDI initiatives. We are motivated by the partnerships formed and the achievements gained and look forward to making further progress in 2025.
For a detailed look at our achievements and initiatives, you can download the full EDI Year in Review 2024 document via the attachment.
Now it's time to have your say!
What are your thoughts on the progress made in EDI within the engineering and technology sectors? Share your comments below!
- How can organisations better support neurodivergent employees in the workplace?
- What are your thoughts on the impact of EDI member networks in fostering an inclusive community?
- Which EDI achievement from 2024 do you find most inspiring, and why?