Driving the Electric Revolution presents: The importance of including EDI in PEMD training

Power electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) technology is helping to change our world. But how can the sector meet the needs of our diverse society if we do not fully represent it?

Women make up 51% of the UK population, yet only 12% work in engineering. People from minority ethnic backgrounds make up 8% of the engineering and technical workforce. Research has shown us the benefits of working with a diverse and inclusive team and the data demonstrates that having a diverse team increases productivity levels. Yet an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) imbalance within the PEMD technology industry remains an issue.

The Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge at UK Research and Innovation is committed to raising awareness of EDI issues within the PEMD community. Building on the success of its “Engaging a Diverse Workforce for the Future” webinar from 2020, it presents a series of webinars dedicated to championing EDI in engineering and PEMD technology.

These monthly sessions give you the opportunity to hear what people from engineering and similar sectors are doing towards promoting EDI in their field. They explore why we’re not seeing an increase in EDI in these sectors, discuss the barriers we need to overcome and explore collective solutions.

Recorded on 30th September 2021, this is the first session in Driving the Electric Revolution’s new webinar series dedicated to tackling equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) challenges within the power electronics, machines and drives sector. This session aims to develop the conversation around making inclusive training programmes and make you think about EDI in a new way.

Watch this webinar recording to gain the opportunity to hear from an experienced panel who are all working to promote EDI in their field. They discuss how we can create training programmes for all ages, backgrounds and education levels. We also explore why, despite the success of the STEM ambassador programme, we’re not always seeing an increase in EDI in these sectors and discuss the barriers we still need to overcome before exploring possible collective solutions.

• Phillipa Oldham, Stakeholder Engagement Director | Advanced Propulsion Centre
• Fran Long, Education and Training Lead | Faraday Institution
• Nile Henry, Founder and CEO | Blair Project
• Rebecca Hill, Public Engagement Programme Manager | UK Research and Innovation
• Jo Burgess, Head of Innovation Talent and Skills | Innovate UK

• 30th September | The importance of including EDI in PEMD training
• 28th October | Encouraging EDI in research and industry
• 25th November | Inclusive language and leadership
• 10th February | Supporting EDI in the engineering workplace