Engineering and technology underpins our work here at HMGCC; disciplines in which we take pride and which we know serve the entire population.

But we recognise the rainbow of different sectors across the UK population are not equally represented in the engineering profession.

According to recent stats by EngineeringUK, women remain the most underrepresented group in engineering, making up just 16.9 per cent of the workforce. Other groups such as those from ethnic minority backgrounds and people living with disabilities also remain underrepresented.

At HMGCC, we believe that diversity of thought in engineering and technology professions can only strengthen innovation. We are passionate about championing STEM and encouraging underrepresented groups in everything we do.

At HMGCC we have a dedicated group of STEM champions who work to ignite an interest in engineering among young people of different genders and backgrounds.

Our outreach work includes visits and talks at schools and colleges, as well as attendance at events which celebrate STEM skills in young people.

Our own engineers have designed a range of engaging activities for use at these events, for example a flashing model car aimed at inspiring an interest in electronics and physics. This car kit provides a hands-on learning platform for use directly by students. It features lights, sensors and a BBC micro:bit. It relays information over Bluetooth to a computer to plot information on a graph.

Throughout the year we interact with thousands of students at visits and events, supporting them in fun STEM activities, and (we hope) lighting a small spark which could grow into a future engineering career…perhaps at HMGCC.

Our social media channels echo all of this activity. Look out on LinkedIn and Instagram for our annual support of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) Lottie Tour, which highlights careers in engineering.

HMGCC is one of more than 300 signatories of the Tomorrow’s Engineers Code, a step taken to show our commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion in engineering and technology.

The code was established to increase the number and diversity of young people entering careers in these fields and is managed by EngineeringUK.

The pledges are to:

• Inspire connection – work together to create sustained journeys of engineering and technology inspiration activities for all young people.
• Drive inclusion – help all young people get access to engineering and technology inspiration and careers activities, especially those from groups underrepresented in the industry.
• Showcase engineering – celebrate the breadth of opportunities and benefits that careers in engineering and technology offer to all young people, as well as the positive environmental and societal impact.
• Improve impact – continuously learn from and improve activities using evaluation data, as well as sharing learnings with the community​