Invaluable opportunities for Aberdeen students at AFBE-UK Scotland careers event
Attendees at a previous AFBE-UK careers fair in Aberdeen
Aberdeen students are being given vital tips on how to boost their employability in the digital age.
A careers event being hosted by AFBE-UK Scotland and the University of Aberdeen aims to provide students with a forum to speak to potential employers, while also learning more about industry.
The programme, which focuses on ‘Positioning for the Digital Age and Transition into the World of Work’, will be delivered on Wednesday, October 11, and will host up to 80 students.
Attendees will hear keynote speeches delivered by Dr David Whitehouse, CEO of Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and Martina Chukwuma-Ezike, Rector of the University of Aberdeen.
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike, Rector of University of Aberdeen
Based in Aberdeen, AFBE-UK Scotland supports all young people, particularly those from BME (black and minority ethnic) backgrounds, with career aspirations in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).
The organisation aims to increase the number of ethnic minority people who pursue a career and have successful careers within the engineering and technology industries. It promotes diversity through programmes and activities which are led by exceptional professionals and leaders in business.
Personnel from some of the biggest companies in the industry will attend the free event, which will include three panel discussions on the day; A Day in the life of a STEM Professional, The Importance of Mentoring and the Energy Transition.
Ibim Diri, AFBE-UK Scotland transition and mentoring lead, will be presenting on the organisation’s Transition programme, where industry leaders help aspiring engineering professionals to enter the job market.
He said: "We are thrilled to be running this event alongside the University of Aberdeen. The workplace post-2020 is different. We believe this event will equip students with the right tools needed to position themselves in the digital age, as they transition into the world of work.
“We are even more excited to have the backing of so many industry employers who see the importance of a diverse and dynamic workforce.”
Ibim Diri, AFBE-UK Scotland transition and mentoring lead
Martina Chukwuma-Ekize, University of Aberdeen Rector, said: “As a university, we take pride in supporting our students from their point of entry, during their time studying with us and after they graduate. One of the many ways we support our students is through providing career advice and employability skills and this event will help provide targeted support to our students from minority ethnic backgrounds undertaking STEM courses.”
The event, at the university’s Science Teaching Hub, Bedford Road, will run from 9.30am to 4.20pm and will feature a packed programme that includes speed networking with employers and industry experts, keynote speeches, exhibitions panel discussions and presentations.
To attend the careers event, go to: https://abdn.targetconnect.net/leap/event.html?id=8224&service=Aberdeen%20campus
This event is a precursor to a number of other Transition careers events AFBE-UK will hold alongside other corporate partners in the autumn.
For more information on AFBE-UK Scotland, visit: http://www.afbescotland.org/
About AFBE-UK
AFBE-UK provides support and promotes higher achievements in education and engineering particularly among students and professionals from ethnic minority backgrounds. The proportion of UK citizens from ethnic minority communities is projected to reach between 20 and 30 percent by 2050. The UK has a long standing history of engineering achievement. However, the engineering sector is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals. Only 9% of UK engineers from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds although an average of 29.9% of engineering university graduates are from BME backgrounds.
About AFBE-UK Scotland
AFBE-UK Scotland, first launched in 2011, is part of AFBE-UK, which is based in London. AFBE-UK Scotland provides mentoring programmes to support young people with their STEM careers. This includes its schools programme NextGen, where industry leaders and professionals give advice to pupils through entertaining events; Transition, where industry leaders help aspiring engineering professionals to enter the job market; and Real Projects, where industry professionals share their knowledge and expertise.
