AFBE-UK Scotland, an organisation that encourages greater diversity and inclusion in the energy and engineering sectors, has announced that two UK engineering companies have signed up as corporate members.
Aberdeen-headquartered Wood and engineering company Leonardo have both come on board.
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Dr Ollie Folayan, AFBE-UK Scotland chairman, said: “We are delighted to have Leonardo and Wood join us in our efforts to ensure diversity and inclusion for all. Both companies appreciate the significance of this, and so we look forward to working with them.”
Aberdeen-based AFBE-UK Scotland encourages all young people, particularly those from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Catherine Liebnitz, Wood vice president of people and organisation, operations EMEA, said: “Wood is committed to driving change in inclusion and diversity as part of our focus on building a sustainable future for generations to come.
“We are proud to enter into a new partnership with AFBE-UK Scotland, supporting our commitment towards ethnic diversity and we look forward to working together to drive an increasingly conscious and proactive focus on creating a great working environment, where everyone can be themselves, bring their whole self to work, and achieve their full potential.”
Wendy Allen, Leonardo UK HR director, said: “Leonardo is proud to be the first UK aerospace and defence company to become a corporate member of AFBE-UK.
“We’re already advertising current vacancies on the AFBE-UK website in order to increase the number of applications from different ethnic backgrounds and later this year we’re going to be supporting AFBE-UK with their calendar of events with schools in order to inspire the next generation of engineers.”
AFBE-UK Scotland runs mentoring programmes that offer young people support with their STEM careers.
This includes its schools programme NextGen, where industry leaders and professionals give advice to pupils through fun events; Transition, where industry leaders give advice to aspiring engineering professionals on how to enter the job market; and Real Projects, where industry professionals pass on their expertise.
