It’s well known that a diverse workforce leads to better outcomes for an organisation, not to mention fulfilling the basic principle of opportunity and inclusion for all.
So why do we not see greater diversity in engineering and technology?
Diversity should be at the very heart of action in engineering and technology to help us to engineer a better world for all – from the latest in how we use data and insight to account for everyone, through to the end-product that works across the globe to improve lives for all.
The current state of diversity in our industry, in the UK specifically, shows that:
- Women make up 16.5% of all engineers1
- 9.9% are from minoritised ethnic backgrounds2
- 21% come from lower socio-economic backgrounds3
- Disabled engineers make up 11.1% of the workforce2
- Over a quarter of LGBTQ+ individuals would never consider a career in the engineering profession for fear of discrimination4
Is it our responsibility to act, or that of ‘the business’?
The IET are working with RS Grass Roots (the Youth Empowerment team from RS Components) and AFBE (the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers) to provide an exciting event to open up discussions. Reflect 2022 is for those making first steps to change in their business, all the way through to active ambassadors of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Join us to hear first-hand the experience from ethnically diverse people as they share their stories, along with top tips from experts on practical ways that you can create a more inclusive business.
If you want to find out more, please join us in person on Monday, 1 August 2022 in London. Register for free: https://Reflect2022.eventbrite.com
1Engineering UK, 2022, 2Engineering UK, 2020, 3Bridging the Gap, Sutton Trust 2022, 4IET, 2019
#Equality Diversity and Inclusion #Race and Culture
