AFBE-UK is excited to announce its partnership with the Rolls-Royce plc, who join the organisation as its newest member. Rolls-Royce is one of the world’s leading global power groups, pioneering cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions to meet our planet’s vital power needs.
AFBE-UK looks forward to supporting their efforts towards increasing accessibility and improving inclusion for black and minority ethnic engineers at all stages of their careers. Rolls-Royce had this to say of the new partnership.
‘As we develop on our journey to building a more diverse and representative workforce at Rolls-Royce, we’re excited to be working with AFBE to share knowledge and to reach and build strong relationships with black engineering talent. We know that increasing diversity is critical to the success of our business - different perspectives help us to make better decisions, innovate and deliver to our customers. Thanks to our African and Caribbean Professional Network (ACPN) Chair, Lynette Kebirungi, for fostering this important relationship and for the essential work the network does to help make Rolls-Royce even more inclusive.’ - Rebecca Green, Global Employer Brand & Attraction Lead.
By connecting to AFBE-UK’s extensive network of student and professional engineers, the partnership represents a positive step in continuing to better understand the barriers to inclusion BME engineers face when applying to engineering jobs and progressing through to leadership positions. It also raises awareness on the variety of engineering roles within Rolls-Royce.
“AFBE-UK is delighted to welcome Rolls-Royce as a new member,” commented Mara-Tafadzwa Makoni, AFBE-UK’s Corporate Partnership Lead.
“We were very pleased to hear that Rolls-Royce was interested in partnering with us, following discussions with ACPN Chair Lynette Kebirungi who was introduced to our Chair Nike Folayan. With only 9% of UK engineers being from a BME background we think this partnership will raise awareness of opportunities within Rolls-Royce. AFBE-UK will work with Rolls-Royce in a way that ensures black and ethnic minority communities feel a true sense of belonging at Rolls-Royce and are confident that when they apply for opportunities, they have an equal chance of being employed as anybody else.”
AFBE-UK promotes higher achievements in education and engineering careers among people from black and minority ethnicity (BME) backgrounds across the United Kingdom. The organisation promotes diversity through programmes and activities which are led by exceptional professionals in the Engineering industry, and are designed to bring about meaningful change, sustainable growth and a lasting positive impact to the UK. Since its launch in 2007 AFBE-UK' outreach programmes have reached over 12,000 BME individuals across the UK. The Association not only offers networking, mentoring, educational resources and opportunities but it also provides access to jobs across the country.
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