Aerospace and defence giant Leonardo is partnering with the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-海角视频) in a bid to diversify its business.
The company, which employs 7,500 people and has sites across the 海角视频 including in Bristol and Yeovil, said it approached AFBE-海角视频 as part of efforts to build an inclusive culture for staff.
The business is the first aerospace and defence firm to partner with AFBE-海角视频, the association said.
Norman Bone, chair and managing director of Leonardo 海角视频, said: “As an advanced engineering company which is driven by innovation, we understand the importance of a diverse workforce.
“An environment in which a range of viewpoints and backgrounds are valued encourages the creativity and problem solving which underpin our performance as a business.
“To become more diverse, we are consciously reinforcing an inclusive work environment which embraces diverse talent. Forming links with organisations such as AFBE-海角视频 will support this goal.”
Leonardo is one of the 海角视频’s biggest advanced engineering companies, working to develop technology for a wide range of futuristic programmes including Tempest, the 海角视频’s next-generation combat aircraft.
Dr Ollie Folayan, co-founder of AFBE-海角视频 and chair of the organisation’s arm in Scotland, where Leonardo also has a major site, said: “This is our first partnership in this field, and we are delighted to be partnering with such an impressive company.
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“Leonardo has clear objectives to make their company an inclusive and fairer workplace for all. The challenges we face as an industry require innovative solutions and ‘out-of-the-box thinking’ and diversity gives rise to that type of environment.”
Leonardo employee Folayo Osekita has been supporting the development of the partnership between the company and AFBE-海角视频.
He leads the unit in Leonardo responsible for developing key communications technologies for the Tempest programme.
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Before joining Leonardo, Folayo supported the roll-out of AFBE-海角视频’s ‘Making Engineering Hot’ campaign, which uses role models to bring engineering careers to life for students aged 12-18 years old, across the 海角视频.
Folayo said: “This new collaboration is the first of its kind within the aerospace and defence sector and sends a clear message that Leonardo is committed to creating an environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work by working with external organisations to gain new insights.”
Leonardo said it was also planning to work with AFBE-海角视频 to encourage more young people, particularly those of different ethnic backgrounds, to consider a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).