Two new reports aimed at helping tackle the issue of diversity have been published this week by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

 

The Academy has produced a case study toolkit entitled ‘Increasing Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering’, which brings together useful guidance with examples of best practice. An additional survey report has been published alongside the toolkit to provide a benchmark against which to measure future progress in improving diversity across the sector.

 

The survey shows that gender must continue to be a key area of focus. But the profession, it says, should also do more to understand and address barriers that might inhibit other under-represented groups from joining and remaining in engineering.

 

This could help the UK to overcome an engineering skills shortage. It is said that the country needs 1.8M more engineers by 2020.

 

Ethnic minority individuals make up 25% of the UK's primary school children, a quarter of engineering graduates and 12% of the working age population. But they account for just 6% of those employed as professional engineers.

 

CIHT published a parallel toolkit in October to help employers in the highways and transportation sector recruit, retain and develop a diverse workforce. ‘Routes to Diversity & Inclusion’ offers practical guidance, case studies and links to expert advice.

 

This work complements the wider study by the Academy which has been published this week.

 

CIHT Chief Executive Sue Percy said: “The business case for diversity and inclusion has been highlighted a number of times in the media recently, however implementing the changes necessary to take advantage of these business benefits does not appear to be a priority for some employers.

 

“Often, this is simply a case of not being sure where to start and this is where both the Royal Academy of Engineering’s ‘Increasing Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering’ toolkit and the CIHT ‘Routes to Diversity & Inclusion’ toolkit can help.

 

“CIHT believes there needs to be a step change in the way that the industry engages with issues around diversity and inclusion as part of a long term skills strategy. We believe that this toolkit will help to inspire that step change.”

 

CLICK HERE to read the Royal Academy of Engineering’s new documents.

 

(Photo: Royal Academy of Engineering)