Project title: Underrepresented engineers and employability
Project summary:
The Inclusive Employability Toolkit was developed to address inequities in the employment progression of engineering graduates. Its aim is to empower both employers and students in navigating employment challenges, educate on employability, EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion), and allyship, and equip individuals to create inclusive workplaces. The toolkit also encourages reflection, growth, and participation in EDI initiatives.
The toolkit is a comprehensive set of learning resources designed for academics, employers, and students. Its goal is to support the progression of women, Asian, Black, disabled, and low socioeconomic-status engineering students into employment. The toolkit builds on the Graduate Capital Model (Tomlinson, 2017), the Internship Framework (Shawcross and Ridgman, 2014), and principles of Social Capital Learning (Brown et al., 2014). It aims to help all students improve their social capital and employability both in the short and long term.
A project informed by research and employers
Developed through collaboration with students, academics, and employers, the Toolkit is informed by responses from 100 employers in a survey and input from 40 employer representatives during stakeholder world café engagement activities. A key research outcome (Fanusie et al., 2024) highlighted the need for more EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) training as part of employers’ continuous improvement processes. Additionally, students and graduates expressed the need for further development in understanding and implementing EDI in the workplace. These findings underscore the demand for the Toolkit that educates both employers and students on EDI practices and enhances allyship skills.
Supporting engineering students into employment
Initial research with employers and students highlights the Toolkit’s potential to educate both parties on implementing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace and enhance allyship skills. The toolkit is well-received by HEIs, employers, and students for its ability to improve employability skills and support the progression of engineering students into employment. Further research at Wrexham University and Canterbury Christ Church University in partnership with Engineering Professors’ Council will provide valuable insights to refine and expand the toolkit’s impact.
Long-term benefits include an improved user experience with interlinked learning resources, increased education on EDI practices in the workplace, better progression of diverse students into graduate employment, and a more inclusive engineering workforce. The toolkit will help improve recruitment and retention of diverse graduates, benefiting both HEIs and employers and promoting diversity in future leadership roles.
The full report can be found and read here on the Wrexham website.