Royal Academy Highlights Persistent Racial Disparities in Engineering Careers Despite GEEP Success

What's Happening?

The Royal Academy of Engineering is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme (GEEP), which aims to support underrepresented groups in engineering. Despite the program's success, recent data reveals that Black and Asian engineering graduates are still more than twice as likely to face unemployment compared to their white counterparts. Professor Rachel Oliver, a leading materials engineer and incoming chair of the Academy's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee, addressed these ongoing challenges at the event. GEEP has supported over 2,000 students and collaborated with more than 50 engineering companies and 70 universities to diversify the talent pool in engineering. However, racial disparities persist, highlighting the need for continued efforts to create an inclusive workforce.

Why It's Important?

The persistent racial disparities in engineering careers underscore the need for systemic change within the industry. While programs like GEEP have made strides in supporting underrepresented groups, the data indicates that Black and Asian graduates still face significant barriers to employment. This situation calls for a reevaluation of recruitment practices and a commitment to diversity and inclusion from companies and educational institutions. Addressing these disparities is crucial for fostering a diverse and innovative engineering workforce, which can drive economic growth and technological advancement.

What's Next?

Professor Oliver emphasized the need for the entire engineering ecosystem to adopt a fresh approach to diversity and inclusion. This involves rethinking recruitment strategies and addressing systemic issues that disadvantage racially minoritized engineers. Companies, universities, and professional institutions are encouraged to collaborate and apply engineering principles to lead progress in diversity. The ongoing efforts aim to create a more equitable environment where diverse talent can thrive, ultimately benefiting the engineering industry and society as a whole.