The Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme (GEEP) is a collaborative employer programme led by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng), which aims to increase the transition of engineering graduates from diverse backgrounds into engineering employment.

Set up in collaboration with major engineering employers to address the skills gap by attracting, recruiting and retaining people from diverse backgrounds into engineering employment, the GEEP connects students and graduates with employers through a series of two-day networking events held around the UK. These events offer insight into both the reality of working as an engineer and the variety and creativity a career in engineering can offer, and the recruitment process, including technical interviews and CV advice. The Engineering Council is pleased to contribute to these events, explaining the role of professional registration in starting and developing your career, including registrants’ higher earning potential and increased career prospects.

A series of GEEP events were held in London, Birmingham and Blackburn from September-December 2018, delivered in partnership with SEO London.  The programme achieved its targets in terms of the profile of attendees, of whom 28% were female, 91% were Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students (far exceeding the 60% target), 52% came from non-Russell Group universities and 53% were from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Feedback from attendees, both employers and students/graduates, about the events and their impact has been positive. Dates for 2019 events are currently been confirmed and employers interested in getting involved in the EEP should email diversityteam@raeng.org.uk Learning from the pilot Engineering Engagement Programme (EEP), run from 2015-2018, is available in Improving employment opportunities for diverse engineering graduates.