Category: Diversity and Inclusion

11,000 young people reached and a card pack for sale!

Author louisacockbill | Posted on

UWE Engineering’s Inspire Sustainability team have reached over 11,000 young people in the West of England with their Green Futures workshops designed to inspire children into green career pathways. The project was funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to support the ambition for 2 million new green jobs in the UK by 2050.

In collaboration with local company My Future My Choice, the team at UWE produced a top-trump style card pack featuring 48 real local people in green jobs. The highly visual cards have proved incredibly popular with young people and adults alike, and in response to national interest, the team has commercialised the card packs and they are now available to purchase.

In the gallery below you can see the five people associated with UWE Bristol who were featured on the card deck – including Engineering’s very own Laura Fogg-Rogers who leads the Inspire Sustainability team. Each person featured has a corresponding online profile that can be further explored.

UWE represented! Top left: Associate Professor Laura Fogg-Rogers, Top middle: Professor of Future Mobility Glenn Lyons, Top right Associate Lecturer Roger Griffith, Btm: Cerise Mangat and Julian Mensah are both former UWE students

The Inspire Green Futures card deck was first launched in January 2025 and the team took them straight into local West of England schools and communities. The response has been incredible, with people amazed by the diverse range of people and green jobs possible. The UWE school delivery team are always hearing:

“Where can I buy one of these?”

So now schools, companies and individuals can buy a card pack of their very own – for just £10 a pack! And all proceeds will support continuation of FREE Green Future workshops in West of England schools.

Buy Inspire Green Future Card Packs for £10 each

Training for teachers and ambassadors

The success of the card packs has led to them being used as a resource for:

Read more about the training sessions linked to above and get in touch to enquire about training for your school or company.

The original project was funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, UWE Bristol recruited the wonderful “green” people and My Future My Choice designed the cards.

Launching a new toolkit for MAKERS: Repair, Belonging, and Sustainability in Action

Author engineering | Posted on

At UWE Bristol, the MAKERS project – Making And Knowledge Exchange for Repair and Sustainability – has been showing how practical repair and making activities can transform engineering education. Now, we’re excited to share the next step: the launch of the How to Create MAKERS guide and toolkit, designed to help other universities and colleges embed similar approaches in their own student communities.

What is MAKERS?

Delivered by the Science Communication Unit at UWE Bristol and supported by over £115,000 from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Impact Programme, MAKERS connects students with local maker and repair communities across the West of England. Through workshops and monthly Repair Cafés, students build hands-on skills, tackle real-world sustainability challenges, and strengthen their sense of belonging in engineering.

The initiative was designed to widen participation in engineering by supporting women and students from Global Majority backgrounds. In its first year, the results have been striking: 32% of regular participants were women – double the UK engineering average – and 77% came from Global Majority backgrounds. Alongside these inclusion outcomes, MAKERS has prevented 248 kg of waste, saved 1.6 tonnes of CO₂, co-developed projects with 17 organisations, and welcomed more than 70 community participants.

“Repair and making are not just about fixing objects – they’re about building communities, confidence, and resilience,” said Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers, Associate Professor for Engineering in Society and MAKERS lead. “Through this initiative, we’re showing how sustainability can be embedded in engineering education while creating more inclusive spaces where every student can thrive.”

Creating MAKERS Spaces

Building on this success, Creating MAKERS Spaces offers a practical guide for other higher and further education institutions to establish their own programmes. The toolkit provides step-by-step advice on:

  • Setting up sustainability and repair projects
  • Designing inclusive learning environments
  • Building meaningful community partnerships
  • Measuring impact and sharing best practice

The aim is to help universities enrich student experience strategies by embedding repair cafés and community workshops, while also supporting wider goals in employability, inclusion, and climate action.

“We’ve seen first-hand the difference it makes when students come together to learn practical skills and connect with their communities,” said Kat Corbett, Project Coordinator for MAKERS. “This guide is about sharing that experience so other institutions can create their own spaces for belonging, sustainability, and hands-on learning.”

Repair in the Community: The Bristol Repair Coalition

MAKERS also coordinates the Bristol Repair Coalition, a city-wide alliance of community groups, social enterprises, universities, and local government. Launched in 2024, with the Repair Acts team, the Coalition supports grassroots repair activity, works with Bristol City Council on integrating repair into waste strategy, and is exploring a Circular Economy Demonstrator for the city. This hub would bring together repair, reuse, and refurbishment to create jobs, training, and a stronger circular economy.

The Coalition has also developed the Bristol Repair, Share and Reuse map, a public tool highlighting cafés, enterprises, and services across the city – making it easier for residents to find repair opportunities and get involved.

Looking Ahead

The launch of the How to Create MAKERS guide marks an important milestone in embedding repair and making in higher education. It is both a practical toolkit and a call to action: to reimagine engineering education as inclusive, hands-on, and connected to the pressing challenges of sustainability.

The legacy of MAKERS lies in producing graduates who are not only technically skilled, but also confident, collaborative, and committed to building a more sustainable future.

You can follow progress on the Engineering Our Future blog or join us at one of our monthly Repair Cafés at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus.

Internship Reflection: Finding Purpose Beyond the Pay | CATE’s internship scheme

Author engineering | Posted on

By Nicolle Hanselmann

I was lucky to be accepted into the School of Engineering’s summer internship programme. While everyone knows students are often broke (yes, money does help), my motivation came from somewhere deeper.

A little background before I dive into my experience.

I’m a mature student studying Mechatronics, about to begin my third year on an Integrated Master’s degree. Excited, and maybe a bit scared, I chose this path to save time, which meant skipping the usual placement year that helps students stand out after graduation. Placements can often be the golden ticket during interviews, but for me, internships became the bridge, the opportunity to gain experience, build confidence, and see where I might belong.

So, what was the experience like?
And would I recommend it to other students?
The answer is: Absolutely, yes, without a doubt.

What I Did

The variety of things I got involved in was incredible, and to be honest, fun. And how many people can say that about work?

My very first task was helping at the Cheltenham Science Festival, where we welcomed families, schools, and curious minds from all walks of life. It was my first real taste of making science accessible and enjoyable. I found myself explaining technical ideas in simple, playful ways, testing not just my knowledge, but my ability to connect.

We had children (and enthusiastic adults!) building wind turbines out of cardboard. Some people had never done anything like it before, and that meant a lot to me, because I am “some people.”

Other events I supported included:

  • Festival of Nature, Bristol: I greeted passersby, encouraged them to join in, and helped run our “Find the Sustainable Job Posters” activity (which came with well-earned stickers!)
  • UWE Family Fun Day: Welcoming families, helping with activities, and watching kids light up as they explored the engineering building
  • Women Like Me Mentoring Scheme: A mentor–mentee programme where I had the chance to share thoughts and be part of conversations that matter.
  • Leaders Awards Day: A celebration of creativity and potential young minds, and I got to be part of the team behind it
  • Unlock Cyber Taster Day
  • And, of course, the behind-the-scenes stuff, setting up, packing down, and tidying. Because every job, big or small, matters.

New Skills and Unexpected Growth

One of the highlights for me was blogging for the School of Engineering, with my reflection featured on the official UWE Engineering Blog:

Engineering Family Fun Day – A Celebration of Curiosity, Creativity, and Community | Engineering Our Future

I also found myself developing science communication skills in ways I never expected. No, I wasn’t giving formal speeches, but I was constantly talking to people, answering questions, guiding activities, and breaking things down in real time. That kind of spontaneous, human-centred interaction is public speaking, just more personal, more alive.

I learned how to tailor conversations depending on who I was talking to. A five-year-old? A retired engineer? A curious parent? Every moment taught me something.

These are the skills I’ll carry forward, not just in my studies, but in life.

A Heartfelt Thank You

This internship showed me a new side of engineering, not just circuits and code, but people, purpose, and passion. I got to work with some of the most down-to-earth, inspiring science communicators I’ve ever met. They believed in me, supported me, and gave me the space to show up as myself.

To brag a little (because sometimes it’s important!), here’s what Elaine Brown MBE, one of the staff I worked with, wrote to my supervisor Sarah Behenna, after the Unlock Cyber Taster Day:

“Just wanted to say thank you for introducing Nicolle, who was an absolute superstar. She was my go-to meet and greet person, welcoming all the schools as they entered the building. I don’t know how many steps she took during the day, but she made sure everything ran smoothly.”

A reminder that it’s not just about what you do, it’s about how you show up.

Final Thoughts

I now proudly include this on my CV:

Outreach and Engagement Intern – UWE School of Engineering
 May–July 2025

  • Delivered interactive STEM activities at public events and festivals
  • Contributed a published blog to the UWE Engineering site
  • Supported event planning, coordination, and inclusive engagement
  • Gained hands-on skills in science communication and team collaboration

If you ever have such an opportunity, take it. It might just be the thing that connects the dots in your journey, shows you what you’re capable of, and reminds you why you chose this path in the first place.

Future Ambition Fair brings skills, support and opportunity to Lawrence Weston

Author katcorbett | Posted on

On Tuesday 15 July, UWE Bristol’s Inspire Sustainability Team partnered with Ambition Lawrence Weston to deliver the Future Ambition Fair – a community event designed to connect local residents with employment, training, and support opportunities.

Held at Ambition Lawrence Weston’s community hub, the fair brought together a wide range of local organisations offering advice on jobs, apprenticeships, further education and green career pathways. The event aimed to create a welcoming, practical space for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore their next steps.

A group of year 10 students learning about retrofitting with the Green Register and their Retrofit Trailer

Practical Help in a Friendly Setting

Attendees had the opportunity to speak directly with stallholders from local colleges, employers, and support organisations, as well as access free, hands-on support including:

  • CV writing and interview preparation
  • Free professional LinkedIn portraits
  • Information about local training and job opportunities
  • Family-friendly activities and free food throughout the day

The fair also welcomed a group of Year 10 students from St Bede’s Catholic College, who engaged with stallholders and took part in career conversations as part of their wider career development learning.

Participating organisations included Bristol City Council – Employment, Skills and Learning, Babbasa, Severnnet, Bristol Energy Network, Youth Environmental Service (YES), The Green Register, Bristol Waste, Wheels to Work, and others. UWE Bristol’s own Degree Apprenticeships and School of Health and Social Wellbeing teams were also present to share information on pathways into healthcare and work-based learning.

Strengthening Local Collaboration

Stallholders and attendees alike emphasised the value of personal conversations and being able to explore opportunities in a supportive environment. Many of the organisations involved highlighted the importance of showing up in community spaces, especially where access to careers support and higher education can be limited.

UWE Bristol’s Inspire Sustainability Team, which leads projects focused on inclusive, community-led climate action and sustainable futures, organised the event as part of its work to connect green and healthy futures with real-world skills and employment pathways.

“We’re really pleased with how the event came together,” said Laura Fogg-Rogers, who leads on UWE Bristol’s Inspire Sustainability Team. “It was about creating a space where people could explore ideas without pressure – and where support felt genuinely accessible.”

Ambition Lawrence Weston, a long-standing community-led regeneration organisation, played a key role in shaping and promoting the event locally.

Looking Ahead

The Future Ambition Fair follows a successful similar event held in St Pauls earlier this year, and forms part of a growing programme of community-based career events co-organised by UWE Bristol and neighbourhood partners.

Plans are now in development for future events that build on these partnerships and continue to support residents in discovering new pathways into meaningful, sustainable work.

UWE Bristol named training provider of the year for closing engineering skills gap

Author louisacockbill | Posted on

UWE Bristol has been named Training Provider Skills Champion of the Year at the Enginuity Skills Awards for its commitment to driving inclusive growth in the engineering industry and closing the skills gap in the West of England.

The awards recognise individuals and organisations who are supporting the next generation of engineering professionals and fostering a culture of innovation, diversity and collaboration in the industry.

The Training Provider Skills Champion award celebrates an organisation with an outstanding commitment to learning and skills development that supports sustainable engineering and manufacturing growth through partnerships between providers and employers.

UWE Bristol has supported over 1,000 engineering and built environment degree apprentices since 2017, with achievement rates up to 100%. Its Women in Industry project addresses skills and diversity gaps by partnering with employers and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths networks, boosting female applicants by 60% in a year.

This includes Women Like Me, a peer mentoring and outreach project dedicated to increase female representation in engineering and construction. Led by Dr Laura Fogg Rogers since 2018, it pairs senior female engineers and property professionals with junior counterparts, fostering mentoring relationships.

The judges recognised that UWE Bristol is working to close the skills gap and make the industry more inclusive through mentoring, outreach and partnerships.

Simon Flenley, Assistant Director of Research & External Engagement at UWE Bristol said: “We are so proud of our apprenticeship programmes, and the opportunities they provide for increasing access and participation and addressing under representation. This award reflects the hard work and dedication from so many people, underpinned by the critical projects that UWE Bristol delivers such as Women Like Me.”

Reposted from UWE Bristol news – 7th July 2025

UWE Bristol’s MAKERS Project at the Parliamentary Repair Café

Author engineering | Posted on

Last week, Kat Corbett, Coordinator of the School of Engineering’s MAKERS Project and Repair Cafe, was among a select group of community repair leaders invited to take part in a unique event inside the Houses of Parliament.

Kat was one of 20 representatives from repair cafés across the UK who supported a Parliamentary Repair Café hosted by The Restart Project. The event aimed to spotlight the growing movement for repair and reuse, demonstrating to MPs the value of local initiatives that tackle e-waste, reduce carbon emissions, and build community through hands-on problem-solving.

UWE Bristol Repair Cafe Coordinator Kat Corbett at the Parliamentary Repair Cafe – credit Mark A Phillips under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 – Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license

For the past two years, Kat has organised monthly repair cafés within the School of Engineering, where students, staff, and members of the public are invited to bring in broken items and learn how to fix them. These sessions have become an important part of the School’s commitment to sustainability and skills development, aligning with broader university efforts to promote circular economy thinking.

The event attracted 32 MPs, with a further four represented by staff members, many of whom had been encouraged to attend by constituents. As well as getting involved in practical repair, attendees learned about policy changes needed to make repair more accessible and affordable across the UK.

A highlight of the day was a speech from Mary Creagh CBE MP, Minister for Nature and chair of the government’s Circular Economy Taskforce. She arrived dressed in repaired clothing and spoke passionately about her commitment to developing a roadmap for circular electricals by next spring.

Also speaking at the event was broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who shared his personal frustrations with trying to repair a Segway that was barely three years old. His story resonated with the repair community present, many of whom felt confident it could be fixed. One attendee from a refurbishment company even offered to take on the challenge.

Jeremy Vine and his broken Segway – credit Mark A Phillips under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 – Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license

Kat was particularly inspired by conversations with other repair pioneers, including representatives from Manchester’s Renew Hub, an ambitious reuse initiative supported by SUEZ. She even left with one of their upcycled bags made from scrap upholstery fabric.

Reflecting on the experience, Kat said:
“It was an honour to represent UWE Bristol and the MAKERS project at such a prestigious and meaningful event. The energy in the room was incredible, and it’s encouraging to see the appetite for change at a political level. I’m hopeful that this marks another step towards a more sustainable, repair-friendly future.”

Repairers being done at the Parliamentary Repair Cafe – credit Mark A Phillips under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 – Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license

The Restart Project used the event to promote its Repair & Reuse Declaration, which outlines specific policy recommendations, including expanding the UK’s Right to Repair, introducing a repair index, and supporting the next generation of repairers. To date, the declaration has been signed by over 400 organisations and 64 MPs.

UWE Bristol’s MAKERS project, which was funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Impact Programme, continues to embed practical sustainability into engineering education and community outreach. Building on the success of the project, the team behind it is currently working on the Creating MAKERS Spaces initiative, as part of which they will develop a guide and toolkit to help other higher and further education institutions implement similar programmes.

Looking Back at the Green and Healthy Futures Fair: A Day of Opportunity, Learning and Community

Author katcorbett | Posted on

On Monday 19 May, the Green and Healthy Futures Fair brought new energy to the heart of St Pauls as residents from across Bristol gathered at the St Pauls Learning Centre for an afternoon of inspiration, connection, and practical support. Running from 1pm, the event created a welcoming space for people of all ages and stages to explore pathways towards greener and fairer futures.

Organised by UWE Bristol’s Inspire Sustainability Team and Bridging Histories, the Fair exemplified community partnership in action — a collaboration grounded in shared purpose and local voices.

A Celebration of Skills, Support and Shared Futures

With over a dozen local organisations in attendance, the Fair offered access to free workshops, advice services, job opportunities, and community initiatives — all under one roof. Visitors engaged with representatives from organisations including Babbasa, Youth Environmental Service, City of Bristol College, Employment, Skills and Learning (Bristol City Council), Life 2020, Wheels 2 Work, Centre for Sustainable Energy,bFare Share, Alibsa, UWE Bristol’s Degree Apprenticeship Hub, and more.

We were also pleased to welcome Bristol Energy Cooperative, who brought along an engaging, interactive display on community-led energy initiatives — sparking conversations around sustainable living and local climate action.

Uplifting Sessions and Student Involvement

One of the standout moments of the day was welcoming a group of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students from City of Bristol College, who actively participated in two key sessions:

  • A CV writing workshop led by the Babbasa Trailblazer programme, offering young people the tools and confidence to tell their story effectively on paper.
  • An interview workshop run by Xavier Baker, UWE Bristol’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Business Partner, who shared expert insights into professional interview techniques and mindset-building.

These workshops provided a safe and supportive environment for learners to develop essential employability skills — and were met with enthusiasm and appreciation from all involved.

Participants also had the opportunity to have a professional photo taken for their LinkedIn profile to help enhance their employability.

Making Connections and Sharing a Meal

As the afternoon rolled on, Glen’s Kitchen served up delicious hot meals, creating a space for conversation and connection over shared food. Whether catching up with friends, meeting local employers, or learning something new, attendees found countless ways to get involved and feel part of the community.

Free tech support from FixMyTek was also popular, with attendees bringing in their personal devices for one-to-one help and digital advice.

What’s Next?

We’re delighted to announce that a follow-up event will be taking place this summer:

Lawrence Weston Green and Healthy Futures Fair
Monday 15 July 2025, 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Ambition House, 2 Stile Acres Lawrence Weston BS11 0PZ

This will be another opportunity to explore job and training options, access free workshops, and connect with local services and green initiatives.

Reserve your free ticket and find full details here:
Lawrence Weston Green and Healthy Futures Fair – Eventbrite

Building a Greener Future: UWE Bristol Brings Together Sustainability Researchers

Author engineering | Posted on

In April, UWE Bristol welcomed early career researchers from across the UK for a vibrant day of collaboration and knowledge-sharing at the 3rd Sustainability Multidisciplinary Meet-Up: SHAPEing Net Zero. Hosted at the Bristol Business School and organised by Dr Jill Zhao from the School of Architecture and Environment, the event explored how research and innovation can drive an inclusive, just, and technologically enabled response to the climate crisis.

The event brought together early career researchers from over 30 universities to connect across disciplines and explore themes ranging from climate justice and community-led decarbonisation, to big data, retrofit, wellbeing, and the power of storytelling.

Spotlight on sustainable engineering and community engagement

One of the UWE researchers presenting at the event was Sarah Behenna, Project Coordinator in the School of Engineering and Science Communication Unit. She shared work from the award-winning public engagement programmes led by Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers and Dr Laura Hobbs, focused on engaging underrepresented children and young people in sustainability through the use of Minecraft.

Sarah’s presentation, titled “Empowering Youth: Communicating Sustainability and Green Skills through Minecraft”, explored how the platform is being used to introduce young people to engineering principles, sustainable development goals, and green career pathways. By designing their own sustainable communities in-game, participants gain hands-on experience of building a better future—while having fun and learning STEM skills in the process.

Forging partnerships and new ideas

Also attending from UWE Bristol was Dr Iwona Gajda, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering and a mentor on the Women Like Me/Women in Industry programme. Dr Gajda joined discussions on interdisciplinary approaches to climate action, bringing her expertise in circular economy and environmental systems.

A key strength of the event was the space it created for building new relationships and sparking collaborative ideas. During the day, Sarah connected with several researchers, including Dr Lui Tam from Cardiff University, and together they began developing a potential future grant bid – demonstrating the immediate impact of cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary networking in driving forward collaborative research.

Looking ahead

Events like SHAPEing Net Zero underline the importance of empowering the next generation of researchers to lead change across academic, policy and community settings. With sustainability, equity and engagement at the heart of its ethos, the British Academy and UWE Bristol is proud to support early career researchers as they shape a more just and resilient future.

A big thank you to Dr Jill Zhao for her vision and dedication in creating and delivering such a valuable and inspiring event.

UWE Bristol’s Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers Honoured with WISE Nurturing New Talent Award

Author engineering | Posted on

Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers, Associate Professor for Engineering in Society at UWE Bristol, has been awarded the prestigious Nurturing New Talent Award at the 2025 WISE Awards, held at IET London: Savoy Place.

The ceremony, attended by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, celebrated individuals and organisations making significant strides towards gender equity in STEM.

Championing Women in STEM

Dr Fogg-Rogers leads the Women Like Me/Women In Industry programme at UWE Bristol which is designed to empower women in STEM by fostering mentorship and cross-sector collaboration. Her efforts have transformed support structures for over 400 women, guiding them through pivotal stages of their careers. Notably, in just one year, her work contributed to increasing female enrolment in UWE Bristol’s degree apprenticeships from 20% to 37%.

A Leader in Inclusive, Sustainable, Engineering Education

Beyond mentorship, Dr Fogg-Rogers also leads UWE Bristol’s Inspire Sustainability outreach and community engagement programme. Where her Science Communication Unit team (Sarah Behenna, Louisa Cockbill, Kat Corbett and Joshua Warren) use curriculum-linked engineering and sustainability outreach and careers support, to connect children to real-life, diverse engineering role models to widen participation and aspirations for STEM and green careers.

Laura’s research and teaching focuses on community energy, climate action, and engaging under-served audiences in sustainable development. Reflecting this commitment, she was recently shortlisted for the Teaching for Sustainable Development Award at UWE’s Student Experience Awards. This award recognises staff who embed sustainability into learning and teaching, promote interdisciplinary thinking, and empower students to develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to support a more sustainable future.

Further recognition for Women in Industry team

UWE Bristol’s Women in Industry programme has also been shortlisted for the Training Provider Skills Champion category at the upcoming Enginuity Skills Awards 2025. This national award recognises outstanding commitment to learning and skills development that supports sustainable engineering and manufacturing growth through partnerships between providers and employers. Winners will be announced on the 3rd July!

Empowering the Future: How UWE Bristol is Transforming Apprenticeships and Workforce Diversity

Author engineering | Posted on

Celebrating International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day , the Inspire Sustainability team at UWE Bristol are running an interactive workshop on March 13th 2025, with STEMazing’s Alex Knight.

The event is open to all (you can Register here) and we especially welcome anyone who might be interested in becoming a mentor/mentee in our Women Like Me mentoring scheme in the future. During the session Alex will focus on building confidence, reflecting on the impact of mentoring, and developing leadership skills, providing a valuable space for women apprentices and professionals to connect and support one another.

Mentoring has been a key success factor for the Women in Industry programme, which has seen a 39% increase in participation in the scheme, where senior women in industry support junior women. The programme has also driven a 60% increase in women applicants to apprenticeships at UWE Bristol in just one year. Previous UWE Bristol research shows mentoring and support networks can increase retention, progression, and self-efficacy among women in STEM.

The programme has also had intersectional success, with 38% of mentees coming from Black, Asian, Mixed, or Ethnic Minority backgrounds, compared to just 19% within the Bristol area. The Wave 1 project report is available online: Women in Industry Wave 1 Evaluation Report 2024

Women in Industry is now in Wave 2 and Wave 3 of funding from the Office for Students, and has expanded from its initial focus on diversifying male-dominated STEM fields (engineering, construction, and digital) to also tackling barriers to access in healthcare apprenticeships. Through a combination of degree apprenticeships, mentoring, and employer engagement, the team is ensuring that more people from underrepresented backgrounds can access careers in high-demand industries.

Driving Change: National Apprenticeship Week at Bristol Beacon

The project showcased these successes as part of National Apprenticeship Week, with a panel discussion at the Bristol Beacon, bringing together industry leaders dedicated to diversifying apprenticeships and addressing skills shortages.

Alexia Williams, Through Life Technical Lead at Rolls-Royce, shared her journey from apprentice to technical lead and her advocacy for STEM education. Becca Thurston, Head of Academy & Skills at YTL UK & Wessex Water, highlighted the importance of strong partnerships between education and industry. Jane Hafield, National Lead for Talent for Care and NHS Apprenticeships at NHS England, discussed workforce development strategies in healthcare. Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, emphasized the role of local government in supporting apprenticeships. Nigel Fenn, Head of People, Projects, and Planning at Pennon Group, provided insights into apprenticeship growth in the utilities sector. Toby Gallagher, Registered Nursing Degree Apprentice at North Bristol Trust, offered a first-hand perspective on the impact of apprenticeships in healthcare. Together, they showcased the power of degree apprenticeships in shaping a skilled, diverse workforce.

Our speakers explored how degree apprenticeships can help close the STEM and healthcare skills gaps, with insights from Dr. Laura Fogg-Rogers and Simon Flenley on how our programme has driven a 60% increase in women applicants to apprenticeships at UWE Bristol in just one year. Employers shared best practices on making apprenticeships more inclusive, including mentorship, employer-supported career pathways, and recruitment strategies that challenge bias. With strong engagement from businesses, training providers, and educators, the event reinforced the power of cross-sector collaboration in shaping a diverse, skilled workforce.

Creating Inclusive Workplaces

With Wave 3 of the Office for Students project specifically targeting healthcare apprenticeships, the team is broadening their approach to inclusion—ensuring that people from ethnically diverse, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and neurodiverse backgrounds can access apprenticeships that lead to sustainable careers.

One of the partners, Inclusive Change, also plans to run training workshops for UWE staff and local employers. These sessions will focus on how to create neuro-inclusive workplaces, supporting employers to better understand and recruit neurodiverse talent in both STEM and healthcare apprenticeships. By embedding neurodiversity training into employer engagement, we are shaping a system that not only welcomes neurodiverse apprentices but also empowers them to thrive.

The Impact of Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

What makes this project so effective is its cross-disciplinary approach—bringing together engineering, business leaders, HR professionals, and education specialists to drive real change. Through employer roundtables, mentoring, and skills training, we are breaking down barriers to recruitment and retention.

This impact has been amplified by our strong network of partners WISE Campaign (Women into Science and Engineering), Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers, Babbasa, and STEM Ambassadors. These collaborations are extending our reach, provided invaluable expertise, and connected employers with a more diverse talent pipeline.

How to Get Involved

Register here to attend our International Women’s Day workshop.

To learn more about the Women in Industry programme and how you can support or participate in our work, visit our dedicated page: Women Like Me / Women in Industry.

For more information about degree apprenticeships at UWE Bristol, including available programmes and employer partnerships, visit: UWE Bristol Degree Apprenticeships.

As we continue through Wave 2 and Wave 3, our goal remains the same: to create a more inclusive, skilled, and future-ready workforce. By working across disciplines, engaging employers, and championing mentorship, we are ensuring that apprenticeships serve as a powerful tool for social mobility and industry growth.

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