Comment: Bridging engineering's skills gap with DE&I

According to the government's Working Futures Study, 186,000 skilled engineers are needed annually until 2024 to plug the UK skills gap. Despite this clear demand for engineers in the UK, there is still widespread underrepresentation in the industry with research from the WISE campaign finding that women make up just over 12 per cent of the engineering workforce. Furthermore, AFBE-UK research found that only 9 per cent of UK engineers are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Focusing on diversity would help to reduce the skills gap whilst also improving business performance, with research from Cloverpop showing that more diverse teams make better decisions. Organisations that encourage a more representative workplace culture are therefore leveraging a catalyst of ideation, innovation and creativity. With the complexity of issues faced in the modern world, this can only be a positive change.

Addressing affordability

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis in the UK is making the process of diversifying the engineering industry increasingly challenging. According to the Office of National Statistics, among all adults, 43 per cent reported that they would not be able to save money in the next 12 months; this is the highest this percentage has been since the question was first asked. Furthermore, research from People Like Us highlights that the cost-of-living-crisis is hitting marginalised communities the hardest. Over a third of people from racially diverse backgrounds can no longer afford to pay their bills, rent, or mortgage each month compared to a quarter of people from white backgrounds.

Outdated industry stereotypes and affordability already hinder underrepresented communities from considering a career in STEM as a genuinely viable option. Adding in a disproportionately impactful cost-of-living crisis and a reduction of disposable income into the mix will only worsen the issue. Therefore, there is no time like the present for businesses to step up and take responsibility to make a change.

Moving the needle

3M’s State of Science Index (SOSI) has revealed that 47 per cent of respondents consider affordability to be a top barrier to pursuing STEM education – increasingly challenging amid a cost-of-living crisis and recession. To plug this gap, organisations must take the initiative to showcase the value of a STEM education and drive talent into the industry. These enterprises must also change the way that the industry is viewed, showcase that diversity is celebrated and alleviate the financial concerns that currently hinder accessibility.

3M’s report also found that 76 per cent of Britons say there is a lack of access to STEM including too few STEM educators/teachers or classes in school (47 per cent) and a lack of internet access (15 per cent). However, inside organisations there is a wealth of skilled engineers that could share their expertise with the workforce of the future. By establishing relationships with schools, businesses can educate on the wide range of careers that STEM education can offer. 3M runs a successful community programme which connects schools with our major manufacturing sites. Furthermore, 3M’s STEM Ambassadors work with schools to show that engineers are not confined to factories and building sites. They demonstrate that a wide range of interesting and rewarding careers are open to people with STEM qualifications.

Smashing stereotypes

The WISE campaign showcases that women make up just 26.6 per cent of the core-STEM workforce. However, when looking at engineering specifically, female engineers account for only 12.5 per cent. If we inspired female talent to enter the industry and established a more equal representation, the skills gap would quickly become immaterial.

At present, the existence of occupational stereotypes is a major barrier to entry in the engineering industry. This year, as part of a joint programme with the British Science Association and other companies, 3M participated in the Smashing Stereotypes campaign, featuring 3M employees who have progressed through non-traditional routes to take on leadership roles, demonstrating that you don’t need the highest level of education to be successful in engineering. Furthermore, diverse and realistic role models must be given visibility. Currently, many of the role models that receive airtime and publicity are the pioneering, game-changing individuals that are transforming their industries. But it is equally important that we also promote more accessible, everyday role models that are relatable to highlight that there is a place for everyone, from every background in STEM.

We must find a way to address the skills gap currently faced by the engineering industry. We are currently missing out on a huge population of engineers that are being discouraged from pursuing careers in this field by outdated stereotypes and barriers. This must change. With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the threat of an impending recession, organisations must step up and do more now to smash stereotypes, promote realistic role models and improve STEM access for everyone, everywhere.

Sarah Chapman, chair, 3M EMEA Technical Women’s Leadership Forum, 3M