The Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) has opened applications for Transcend, its flagship leadership programme for senior engineering and technology professionals ready to move into executive and high-level management positions.

Now in its fourth cohort, the 12-week online accelerator is designed for black and minority ethnic (BME) professionals in senior technical roles with more than 10 years’ experience.

Transcend equips participants with the strategic mindset, leadership skills and influential networks needed to take on senior decision-making roles and make a lasting difference within their organisations and across the wider sector. 

Running from 11 April to 4 July, the programme focuses on developing personal and organisational capability. Through expert led masterclasses, practical workshops and peer learning, participants will develop the confidence and commercial awareness required to thrive in senior leadership roles.

The programme modules include:

• Self-Awareness
• Effective Leadership & Management
• Advanced Communication
• Commercial Awareness
• Organisational Understanding

Beyond individual progression, Transcend seeks to drive meaningful organisational and institutional change by increasing the representation and retention of people of colour in leadership and executive positions.

The 2024 Inclusion Measurement Framework report by Energy & Utility Skills found just 7% of leaders were from minority ethnic backgrounds. While this was up from 5.9% the previous year, it highlights that BME professionals are still significantly underrepresented in top level industry roles. In addition, the same report highlights declining promotion rates, with these dropping sharpy to 7.8% in 2024 (down from 19.9% the previous year) stressing the importance of programs such as Transcend.

Tolu Falade, who leads the Transcend programme on behalf of AFBE-UK, said:
“We know from listening to professionals who have already completed Transcend that it provides an ideal launchpad for executive leadership progression.

“From practical insights and masterclass modules to executive communication and career advocacy, the programme equips engineering professionals with the skills, visibility and confidence to excel in senior roles.

“If you’re ready to step up, strengthen your leadership impact and help inspire hope and positive change across the sector, we want to hear from you.”

Places on the online programme are limited. The deadline for applications is Friday, 13 March. To register your interest in the Transcend leadership programme, click here.

Launched in 2007, AFBE-UK is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering and technology by empowering students and professionals from BME backgrounds to excel and thrive in their careers. It accomplishes this by challenging and inspiring these individuals to excel in their fields and contribute positively to their communities through engineering, with hubs in London, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

The organisation supports those pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers, promotes those skills in schools and champions workforce diversity while also advising organisations on fostering inclusive environments where minority professionals can thrive and achieve their full potential.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: AFBE UK  

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