At Rolls-Royce SMR, their vision is to provide clean, affordable energy for all. A new approach to delivering nuclear power. Their Small Modular Reactor is an integrated power station, that takes well-understood, existing nuclear technology and applies a factory-based philosophy to its fabrication and assembly.
ILP graduates from Rolls-Royce SMR worked with business leadership, collaborating with and supported by HR, to develop and implement a transparent and equitable career development and salary progression process that attracts and retains current and future colleagues, including those from minority backgrounds.
Graduates ensured colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds had an input into the enhanced process through listening sessions
The Rolls-Royce SMR team included:
- Fiona Connell, Mid-career leader (Project Lead)
- Aiden Birks, Early-career leader
- Emma Nightingale, HR Leader
- Richard Wain, Senior-career leader
One way I show up in my workplace as an inclusive leader is by focusing on creating a psychologically safe culture, enabling people to speak up, and holding myself personally responsible to listen to and act on the feedback that I receive.
Aiden Birks, Manager - Plant Configuration, Early-career Leader
“From my time on the ILP, I am particularly proud of implementing an inclusion-focused project within Rolls-Royce SMR to create pay transparency and a clear and equitable career development process. This initiative will enable the development and growth of all colleagues, including those from underrepresented backgrounds.
In the future, I would like the engineering industry to change by enhancing social mobility, ensuring that individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds have equal opportunities to enter and thrive in the field. This includes creating pathways for underrepresented groups and implementing transparent hiring and promotion practices that prioritise potential and talent over background.
I am a passionate advocate for STEM education and careers, and believe it is vital for all engineers to share their experiences and showcase the industry to society, with a particular focus on reaching children and young adults. As someone who proudly entered engineering through the apprenticeship route, I believe we should promote alternative routes into the sector to increase our reach and success.”