I was born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria and loved school growing up. I remember wanting to become an architect for the longest time, but my mum persuaded me to explore engineering whilst I did my UCAS form. I applied, and now I have zero regrets.
I went on to study Engineering, Design and Appropriate Technology at the University of Warwick. Later earning a masters degree from Cranfield University. After graduating, I worked for multiple engineering firms such as Thames Water, ARUP Group and Laing O’Rourke. ' I have been really interested in Sustainability as well as developing solutions for emerging economies. I have worked on a range of projects- schools, hotels, commercial buildings, water supply projects in the UK, Africa, East Asia and the Middle East.
In all of these roles, I learnt to become comfortable being the only woman, or one of a small handful of women in the room. This is what also drove me to want to be a role model for the next generation and do what I could to inspire more women into STEM.
I currently work with a variety of schools, showcasing engineering as a career choice for pupils. The support that young people receive from teachers and other adults in their life can be pivotal in their future career choices, just as my mum was in my own!
The challenge that a lot of schools are currently facing is that they don’t know that they have the option to get people to come in and talk about engineering
Teachers have a lot of influence in students and their chosen career paths. For engineering, this could be a DT or science teacher going the extra mile and sharing resources and information on engineering with pupils. The challenge that a lot of schools are currently facing is that they don’t know that they have the option to get people to come in and talk about engineering. There needs to be more targeted support, from schools and employers, to share more inspiring stories from the profession and encourage a new generation of engineers.
One way schools and employers can work together to encourage interest in the engineering profession is by hosting ‘career days’. By delivering hands-on workshops and Q&A sessions with current or former professionals, students can understand the real impact engineering has on the world around them. It’s not selfless either - but an opportunity for companies to identify top talent early on. As part of the ‘Inspire Series’, I recently took part in a project where I took four young female engineers to explore the infrastructure of the Shard.
The new No Limits digital platform launched by Innovate UK is designed to inspire people to get the right help throughout their innovation journey
Looking at the future of engineering, there is currently a shortfall of roles that need to be filled. This will have a huge impact on the future of the engineering industry if we can’t turn it around, particularly in areas such as sustainability and net zero.
It’s also important we recognise the impact AI will have on the industry. I believe that machine learning will be in every aspect of engineering solutions in the future. We should see AI as a way to improve efficiency, help us spend less time on admin tasks and expand the scope of what we can do creatively and physically as engineers - all the way from sourcing materials for a building to planning for projects.
A desire to bridge the gap between employers and future passionate and innovative engineers is a big part of why I work with Innovate UK. Between academia and the industry, there is a ‘missing piece’ in the pathway to get young people into engineering.
The new No Limits digital platform launched by Innovate UK is designed to inspire people to get the right help throughout their innovation journey. It provides a digital marketplace, which connects aspiring innovators to skills, training, investment and opportunities from Innovate UK and its many partners across the country.
To achieve our full potential, the UK needs 400,000 more innovators – from entrepreneurs to engineers, and everything in between. These new innovators will drive the UK’s future productivity and prosperity. The new platform brings together partners to help better match people with ambition, skills and talent with the support, advice and funding they need to succeed for a future in innovation.
Yewande Akinola MBE, award-winning Chartered Engineer and Innovator with a focus on developing sustainable products. Yewande is also a public speaker – spreading her passion for the engineering sector with young people and advocating for positive social change. She is an Innovate UK Ambassador for Clean Growth and Infrastructure and was recently a speaker at the launch of No Limits , a digital platform designed to connect talent in the UK with businesses in need of innovative support.
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