About the programme
This three-year pilot programme aims to:
- Develop a scalable, practical and evidence-based model for building inclusive leadership mindsets and behaviours in engineering industry, which upskills leaders at all levels and supports them to take meaningful action towards more inclusive cultures and engineering outcomes (the products/services engineers deliver for society).
- Grow a community of inclusion champions (individuals and organisations) and leverage their collective power to catalyse change towards greater inclusion at a systemic level across the engineering profession.
Programme design
Programme design was informed by an in-depth period of scoping and consultation with the engineering community. This is a pilot programme, which we are iterating and refining as we go. Our delivery helps us to understand what works in practice for engineers.
This programme is multifaceted, which recognises that mindset and behaviour change is a long-term process and habits build over time through action and accountability. Awardees receive core inclusive leadership training and are then supported to deliver an inclusion project that will create more inclusive culture or engineering outcomes (products/services) in their organisation. Coaching, mentoring, sponsorship, peer-to-peer support and guidance from an EDI expert help awardees to consolidate their learning and build inclusive habits in a supported environment.
Awardees
This programme is currently supporting 22 engineering companies of various disciplines and sizes (scale up to large). Please see the Awardees tab for more details.
Our first cohort of awardees launched in July 2023 and our second cohort launched in July 2024. This programme recognises that leadership exists at all levels, so awardees are a mix of early-, mid-, and senior-career leaders.
Next steps
The pilot will complete in early 2026. Following this, the Academy hope to scale this initiative across the industry for maximum impact. If this opportunity is of interest to your organisation, please get in touch.
Related programmes and resources
Graduate Engineering Engagement programme
Our award-winning programme run in partnership with engineering employers, which aims to increase the transition of engineering graduates from diverse backgrounds into engineering employment.
Diversity Impact Programme
Providing grant funding of up to £100,000 for new projects in universities that address the unequal outcomes experienced by students from underrepresented groups. Applications are now closed.
Culture+ is your pathway to an inclusive culture
Our new platform provides engineering startups and scaleups with the tools to foster an inclusive company culture, build a world class team and drive sustainable growth.