WSP: Building a more inclusive and diverse engineering industry

At WSP, we know that our success – and that of the engineering sector as a whole – relies on embracing the ideas, creativity and skills of the widest possible range of people. We want to support people from all backgrounds and experiences to fulfil their potential. A key component of this is our involvement in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s (RAEng) Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme (GEEP). 

We’ve partnered with this award-winning employability programme since 2018. Run by the RAEng together with engineering companies, GEEP aims to support UK engineering graduates from diverse backgrounds into engineering employment. Through the programme, students can meet employers like WSP, attend careers workshops, develop their CV and assessment centre skills, and participate in speed networking. As well as supporting events – often hosting them at WSP offices – and providing one-to-one mentoring, we recruit GEEP students into graduate roles at WSP. 

Redressing the industry balance 

Why is a programme like this needed? Under-representation is a major challenge for the industry. In 2024, the proportion of women working in engineering and technology roles was 15.7% – even though women make up 56.1% of the overall UK workforce. And only 11.4% of the engineering workforce is from ethnic minorities, whereas the figure for the total workforce is 28.2%. This means a huge amount of talent is being overlooked. 

At WSP, our performance in this area is above average: 16% of our workforce is made up of people from an ethnic minority background and 32.8% of our people are women. But we’re determined to do better, and supporting GEEP enables us to engage with students from under-represented groups. In 2023-24, GEEP supported 352 students.  

GEEP in 2023-24: 352 students from under-represented backgrounds 

• 82.1% from ethnic minorities 

• 56.3% from non-Russell Group universities 

• 36% were the first generation of their family to attend university 

• 35.2% women 

• 22.7% received free school meals 

• 8.52% with a disability 

• 2.27% care givers 

• 1.14% care leavers 

[Source: EDI Engine, Royal Academy of Engineering] 

Supporting and recruiting graduates 

This support requires significant input from partner companies like WSP. This year, our recruitment teams and volunteers invested a total of 49 hours in group events and 43 hours in mentoring. We also hosted workshops in our Birmingham and London offices, where students received support with their CVs and gained networking opportunities.  

The support I received from attending the programme was incredibly beneficial in my applications and interview processes. The programme gave me an opportunity to expand my network within the industry and gain valuable insight into some of the top engineering firms — allowing me to make informed choices when applying for roles in the industry. 

Damilola Fari-Arole, Systems and RAM Engineer (Network Rail) 

As a partner in GEEP, we engage with students to provide insight into career options and develop the confidence and corporate awareness they need to pursue opportunities. In return, our volunteers get the chance to contribute to social change and reshape our industry for the better. 

I was fortunate to volunteer for a whole day at GEEP’s Birmingham Bootcamp hosted at WSP’s office. I found it very enriching to be a part of, and to provide insights about university and careers that I wish I had access to when I was a student. The exercises and activities throughout the day were highly engaging and relevant to applying for jobs in the future. The level of focus and engagement from the students made being a volunteer enjoyable and easy. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend getting involved in this scheme as a volunteer to other engineering professionals. 

Leon Suubi-Sebina – Graduate Engineer (Mechanical), WSP

WSP benefits from the programme, too. Talking to the GEEP students helps us understand the barriers and challenges they face and informs our approach to recruitment. With the industry facing a skills shortage, it also gives us the opportunity to recruit talented students into graduate roles. In 2023-24, we hired four GEEP students into graduate positions. 

Although we’re justly proud of the support we’ve provided to GEEP students over the years, we’re keen to do more. We’ve already renewed our involvement with GEEP for the coming year. Next, we want to sign up more volunteer mentors from our teams and increase support from our senior leadership to raise the profile of GEEP at WSP. 

We’re determined to improve #EngDiversity together.