Ford is currently undergoing a significant transformation as it shifts its focus towards electrification and the integration of new software and services into its vehicles. This change necessitates the development of new skills and engineering specializations. In response to this demand, the company has established four significant partnerships in education outreach with the aim of fostering interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) among young people.
Andrew Brumley, who has been with Ford since 1992 and previously served as the director of powertrain and vehicle architecture engineering in China, has been appointed as the head of Ford’s Dunton center. Brumley expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am delighted and proud to lead Ford Dunton’s continued role as the center of Transit engineering, which has developed electric Transit vans and Tourneo people carriers.”
He also highlighted the evolving nature of the skills required for product development at Ford. Brumley noted that in addition to mechanical engineering graduates, the company now also seeks to recruit programmers, software specialists, data engineers, and other professionals with the expertise needed for the development of innovative Transits.
A significant initiative undertaken by Ford was the temporary assignment of Brumley’s role to Tatiana, a 21-year-old student from Imperial College London. Tatiana spent a day gaining insights into product development engineering, with a special focus on intelligent electric vehicles that utilize data to enhance functionality. She visited the FordLiive Centre to learn about the analysis of vehicle data for productivity maximisation and further applications of data.
Tatiana was deeply impressed by Ford’s customer-centric approach and its commitment to achieving autonomous vehicle feedback systems. She commended the visible dedication of Ford’s engineers and staff to this goal, which, in her view, reinforced the strong sense of community within the company.
Ford’s commitment to promoting STEM subjects and inspiring future careers in the automotive industry was also evident in its participation in Plan International UK’s Girls’ Takeover initiative for the second time in eight months. This initiative forms part of the company’s longstanding partnership with Greenpower, which includes events such as the East Anglia 2024 Greenpower heat at Ford Dunton, where school teams raced electric cars they had built themselves.
Rose Caldwell, CEO at Plan International UK, praised Tatiana’s takeover of Andrew Brumley’s high-level role as an inspiring celebration of the potential of girls. She lauded Ford’s meaningful engagement with young women and its provision of space to amplify their voices, emphasising the importance of male-dominated industries actively encouraging girls and young women to pursue careers in their sectors.
To further its educational outreach, Ford has entered into partnerships with organisations such as Greenpower, Code First Girls, Primary Engineer, and International Women in Engineering Day. These initiatives form part of the company’s broader efforts to attract new skills and talent, encompassing around 15 educational partnerships.
Research conducted by Plan International has brought to light the barriers that young women encounter in aspiring to leadership roles in STEM fields. Nearly half of the 1,000 girls and young women surveyed expressed doubts about the attainability of a senior leadership position in STEM, with 39% feeling that they would not be taken seriously in such a career.
Notably, in the past year, Ford UK’s managing director and human-centred design director roles were temporarily assumed by a 19-year-old and an 18-year-old respectively. Their input influenced the social campaign for the Ford Transit Nugget camper van and featured in presentations at the Global Innovation Forum in London.
In conclusion, Ford’s appointment of Andrew Brumley as the head of its Dunton centre and its unwavering commitment to promoting STEM education and inclusion represent vital steps in fostering innovation and addressing the prevalent gender disparities in engineering and technology-related fields. It is evident that the company is dedicated to equipping the next generation with the tools and opportunities necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry.