Check Your Influence

Engineering

Project Description

Client: Tom Miller

To address the diversity gap, the engineering industry is taking steps like unconscious bias training, mentorship programs, and targeted recruitment efforts. Industry initiatives are also working to change perceptions and showcase diverse role models.

The Challenges

The engineering sector in the UK and globally has historically lacked diversity, with women, ethnic minorities, and other underrepresented groups significantly underrepresented.

Some key statistics:

  • Women make up only around 12-15% of engineers in the UK.
  • Only 8% of UK engineers are from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, despite making up 12% of the total workforce.

The lack of diversity in engineering is problematic for several reasons:

  1. It limits innovation and problem-solving by not tapping into the full breadth of talent and perspectives. Diverse teams bring more creativity and innovative solutions.
  2. It contributes to the engineering skills shortage, as the industry is not attracting talent from the full pool of potential candidates. Improving diversity can help address this talent gap.
  3. It results in products and technologies that may not adequately serve diverse end-users, as the design process lacks diverse input. More inclusive design is needed.
  4. It perpetuates an unwelcoming culture that discourages underrepresented groups from pursuing engineering careers. Improving workplace inclusion is crucial.