The Future of Engineering: Build Sustainability into Your Lessons

In the rapidly evolving world of engineering, sustainability has emerged as a pivotal focus, not only for the industry itself but for the courses available for future engineers. For lecturers in Further Education, this presents a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead the way in embedding sustainability within the curriculum.

The Rising Demand for Green Skills

Demand for engineers equipped with knowledge of sustainability is on the rise, as evidenced by a 48%,, increase in engineering job advertisements mentioning a 'green skill', according to a report by Lightcast for EngineeringUK.

This surge reflects a broader trend where engineering roles are seen as crucial in addressing challenges such as climate change and the conservation of our planet. In fact, nearly two-thirds of UK adults ,(64%), recognise the critical role engineering plays in tackling societal issues, reports the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

With companies such as Lendlease Living, a London-based construction company making a push for,net,zero,homes,, it’s anticipated that the need for sustainable engineers from plumbing to solar power will only continue to grow.

Empowering Students through Sustainable Education

For lecturers, the task is clear but challenging; prepare students for the evolving demands of the workforce. Here’s how you can integrate sustainability into your engineering courses:

1. Sustainability-Focused Projects

Incorporate projects that prioritise sustainable practices. This could involve designing energy-efficient systems or creating solutions for waste reduction. Not only do these projects provide practical learning experiences, but they also instil a mindset geared towards sustainability.

2. Teach Industry Case Studies

Showcase real-world examples where engineering innovations have driven sustainability. Discuss companies or projects that have successfully integrated sustainable practices, highlighting both the challenges and successes. This contextual understanding can inspire students and provide tangible insights into the industry's future.

3. Discuss Innovative Methods

Encourage discussions on how sustainability has transformed engineering methods. Whether it’s through using alternative materials, improving energy efficiency, or implementing circular economy principles, demonstrating these advancements can spark creativity and innovation among students.

4. Product Lifecycle Assessments

Introduce the concept of assessing the environmental impact of products across their lifecycle. This holistic view encourages students to think critically about sustainability from design through disposal, promoting a comprehensive understanding of environmental responsibility.

5. Design for Sustainability

Embed sustainable design principles into the curriculum. Teaching students to consider sustainability from the initial design phase fosters long-term thinking and ensures that they are equipped to incorporate these principles in their future careers. This builds on the topic of the product lifecycle assessment.

It’s clear that engineering lecturers have the power to ignite a passion for sustainability in their students, equipping them with the skills needed to drive change. By integrating sustainability into the curriculum, you can enhance your students' employability and teach them to think outside of the box.

Together, we can help shape the next generation of engineers who will lead the charge towards a sustainable future. Explore our website to discover more resources and join our community of educators committed to being the best.

Building an Inclusive and Diverse Work Culture at Your College

Building an Inclusive and Diverse Work Culture at Your College

As we conclude Diversity and Inclusion Month, let’s reflect on the modern approach to inclusivity in the workplace. For colleges, it’s important to set a strong example for students by embracing diversity in a sensitive way. Whilst you may already work hard to ensure an inclusive environment and fair hiring process, there are some factors that you could consider.

The Foundations of Inclusive Hiring Practices:

Unconscious Bias Training

At the heart of an inclusive work culture lies the hiring process. It's here that the commitment to diversity must begin, not as a box-ticking exercise but as a genuine effort to enrich the academic community with a wide array of perspectives and experiences. This involves not only expanding where and how we search for candidates but also scrutinising our interview and selection processes for unconscious biases that might inadvertently favour certain groups over others. Often, these traits aren’t even known to the interviewer.

For information on what to be aware of and, more importantly, how to adapt to change, see the Unconscious Bias Training report.

CIPDs Inclusive Recruitment Guide

Depending on your college’s resources it’s encouraged to take large steps towards accessibility at each stage of a candidate’s application. According to the CIPD's inclusive recruitment guide, this involves more than just non-discriminatory job descriptions. It encompasses structured interviews, diverse hiring panels, and the implementation of equal hiring training programs to mitigate unconscious bias.

Many assume that asking standardised questions to all candidates makes the process equal. However, these questions should be carefully cultivated. Members of staff with the authority to interview candidates should be trained in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Whilst formal training isn’t compulsory, there are many training providers that can educate your teams on this subject.

Training provided by organisations such as Equality and Diversity UK can empower HR professionals and managers to effectively discuss diversity and inclusion with their teams, fostering a culture of openness and continuous improvement.

Cultural Research and Sensitivity

Once hired, the focus shifts to maintaining an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates differences.

More than just acknowledging cultural differences, cultural sensitivity requires active efforts to understand these differences and how they can enrich the college environment. Whilst you cannot be an expert in all cultures, it’s important to be prepared for differences that may come up from candidates and current staff.

Multilingual Resources

Implementing multilingual resources is a step towards this inclusivity. With tools like Microsoft Translator, educational institutions can offer subtitled presentations and translated materials for onboarding support staff, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder anyone’s ability to contribute or belong. These can also be used to aid educators in bypassing some language barriers with non-native English-speaking students.

The Impact of Diversity and Inclusion

Beyond ethical considerations, inclusive environments promote creativity, innovation, and a broader understanding of the world. A diverse and respectful staff of educators is an inspiration for students who will operate in a globalised economy, enhancing their empathy, cultural awareness, and ability to work across differences.

According to the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), being taught by a “same-race” educator can have benefits in your inter-personal relationship, feeling relatable to a role model in education.

Encouraging Regular Feedback and Communication

Through regular feedback sessions, you can continually refine and improve inclusivity efforts. By taking anonymous surveys and encouraging staff and student feedback, your college can continue to grow and develop policies best suited to your workplace. It’s through continued feedback that we keep growing.

Conclusion

Building an inclusive and diverse work culture in colleges and universities is a comprehensive process that extends beyond hiring practices. It requires a commitment to ongoing education, open dialogue, and the implementation of supportive resources. By prioritising inclusivity, institutions can create welcoming environments that not only attract a diverse pool of talent but also prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the wider world.

There’s a lot of ideas you can implement; where will you start?