Applications have opened for a leadership accelerator supporting experienced BME professionals in Aberdeen and across Scotland to progress into executive and board-level roles.
Transcend, delivered by social enterprise – the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK), is a 12-week online programme designed for experienced engineering and technology professionals ready to step into high-level management and strategic decision-making positions.
AFBE-UK has an established presence in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, delivering activity ranging from schools’ engagement programmes to seminars for industry professionals.
Now in its fourth year, the 2026 Transcend programme runs from 11 April to 4 July and combines masterclasses, practical workshops and peer learning to strengthen commercial awareness, leadership confidence and senior-level networks. The deadline for applications is March 13.
With representation at executive level still lagging across engineering and technology, Transcend is focused on strengthening the pipeline of diverse leadership talent across the sector.
Running from 11 April to 4 July, the programme focuses on developing personal and organisational capability. Through expert led masterclasses, practical workshops and peer learning, participants will develop the confidence and commercial awareness required to thrive in senior leadership roles.
The programme modules include:
· Self-Awareness
· Effective Leadership & Management
· Advanced Communication
· Commercial Awareness
· Organisational Understanding
Beyond individual progression, Transcend seeks to drive meaningful organisational and institutional change by increasing the representation and retention of people of colour in leadership and executive positions.
The 2024 Inclusion Measurement Framework report by Energy & Utility Skills found just 7% of leaders were from minority ethnic backgrounds. While this was up from 5.9% the previous year, it highlights that BME professionals are still significantly underrepresented in top level industry roles. In addition, the same report highlights declining promotion rates, with these dropping sharpy to 7.8% in 2024 (down from 19.9% the previous year) stressing the importance of programs such as Transcend.
Tolu Falade, who leads the Transcend programme on behalf of AFBE-UK, said: “We know from listening to professionals who have already completed Transcend that it provides an ideal launchpad for executive leadership progression.
“From practical insights and masterclass modules to executive communication and career advocacy, the programme equips engineering professionals with the skills, visibility and confidence to excel in senior roles.
In Case You Missed it:
“If you’re ready to step up, strengthen your leadership impact and help inspire hope and positive change across the sector, we want to hear from you.”
Places on the online programme are limited. The deadline for applications is Friday, 13 March. To register your interest in the Transcend leadership programme, click here
