RAE backs government's Social Mobility strategy

07 April 2011

The Royal Academy of Engineering has backed the government's social mobility strategy. Speaking alongside Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at a 'Raising Aspirations' careers event at the Globe Academy in London, the Academy's Chief Executive Philip Greenish made a commitment to the principles laid out in the strategy paper. Mr Greenish committed the Academy to continuing its work in widening participation at every level of engineering, to helping mentor young people.

He also welcomed government plans to make sure career opportunities are fair and open to all by offering work experience and internships in a transparent manner without favouring candidates who are socially well-connected.

Mr Greenish said: "There are no barriers to a career in engineering and there are many different routes into the profession. The Royal Academy of Engineering believes strongly in widening participation in engineering and has provided support to engineers going into schools for over 20 years to open young people's minds to the opportunities in engineering at every level.

"We lead and partner in several schemes designed to widen participation in our profession, including the award-winning London Engineering Project, which has run in South and East London since July 2005. The Academy has recently joined forces with other London engineering employers to support an Engineering Career Academy at Lambeth College. This provides senior engineering mentors and brokers internships for students."

The strategy is available to view here.