DIVERSITY and inclusion organisation AFBE-UK Scotland is appealing for mentors to help make a lasting impact on young people.
The social enterprise is looking for 10 mentors with experience in civil, mechanical, chemical and computer/software engineering for its EMBEDD Diversity Impact programme in collaboration with the University of Dundee.
AFBE-UK Scotland supports all young people, particularly those from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, with career aspirations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The EMBEDD (Engineering, Maths, Biomedical, and Environmental Diversity in Dundee) Diversity Impact project is designed to support students and secondary school pupils from low socio-economic backgrounds in Dundee. It aims to provide students with valuable guidance, mentorship and opportunities to help them unlock their full potential.
The programme will address the challenges faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly women, those from black and minority ethnic communities and those with disabilities.
Mentors will be paired with participating students and will play a crucial role in empowering young people to achieve academic and personal goals by providing personalised support and engagement tailored to their individual needs and aspirations.
The role of the mentor involves providing support and advice, helping to develop their skills and self-confidence, and fostering a positive and inclusive environment.
Hayyaan Bashir, NextGen Programme Support Officer at AFBE-UK, said: “Being a mentor is a powerful and rewarding way to give back to the community and help to shape the next generation of engineers. Your experience can provide invaluable guidance and inspire young people to reach their full potential. I would encourage anyone who is able to take this opportunity to sign up and make a difference.”
Mentors will also have the opportunity to attend a workshop on Tuesday, June 25, to engage face-to-face with their mentees. The deadline to indicate interest is Monday, June 17.
Aberdeen-based Dr Ollie Folayan MBE, co-chair of AFBE-UK Scotland, was appointed as a Visiting Professor at University of Dundee’s School of Science and Engineering in 2021. In an effort to increase the number of women and BAME individuals within the UK engineering workforce, Ollie has been working with the university to embed aspects of diversity, inclusivity, teamwork and leadership into the academic curriculum.
AFBE-UK Scotland provides mentoring programmes to support young people with their STEM careers. This includes NextGen, where industry leaders and professionals give advice to pupils through entertaining events; Transition, where industry leaders help aspiring engineering professionals to enter the job market; and Real Projects, where industry professionals share their knowledge and expertise.
To volunteer as a mentor for the programme, please complete the registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelOovsk6DpJ57CNfR9R3MoROpBmfiPIshl8b33QJPr2qfyIQ/viewform
For more information, please email: [email protected]