b'2|IET Futures FundCase study WelcomeLooking back on my career and theThe challenge we face is clear. Our industry isnt diverse enough, and opportunities Id been presentedhas a skills gap and talent pipeline shortage. Were here to solve it. Because I want to give back to made me think I really should give the community that supported back to the engineering communityOnly 16.9% of UK engineers are women and just 14%Funds raised from membership fees, events, and sales me through my career for what it did for me. Thats whatare disabled, compared to 56% and 19% respectivelyof products and solutions - go towards our mission in other occupations. People from lower socio- to engineer a better world, but its not enough. underpinned my decision to begineconomic backgrounds only make up 24% of theThis year we received over 6,000 applications from After 50 years in the engineering sector, Grahamdonating to the IET. engineering workforce, and a 2023 survey by Teachunderrepresented groups in STEM that we couldnt Tubbs felt it was time to give back to the industryFirst found that more than half of parents (51%) fromfunda powerful testament to both the demand for that provided him with endless opportunities. Bylower socio-economic backgrounds believed theirour support and the barriers that still exist and the donating to the IET Futures Fund hes providingchildren were unlikely to pursue a career in STEM.vital role that our donors and funders play.financial support to the next generation ofThis highlights the urgent need forWe do, however, have some success to celebrate. engineers. Graham Tubbs We raised an outstanding 778,874 in philanthropic programmes that not only provide Graham Tubbs, CEO of TaG GH Consulting, hasfinancial support, but also demonstratesponsorship and in donations in 2024 to inspire been an IET member his entire working life,that engineering is accessible to all.and support the next generation of engineers, and joining as a graduate member in 1966, and trialled new ways of giving like the Big Give Christmas becoming an IET Fellow in 2016. Grahams had a full and varied career within theThats why were here, and why the IETChallenge raising over 8,000 from new and existing semiconductor industry, starting back in 1966Futures Fund is critical to our mission. supporters.It was around this time that his relationship with thewhen he joined Texas Instruments as a newAs a professional body for engineersTheres still more work to do, though. Throughorganisation strengthened, as he began tograduate. Here he had the opportunity to beand technologists, our job is notyour continued support, we can inspire even more support the IETs scholarships andinvolved in the development of the processoronly to support those brilliant peoplefuture engineers from diverse backgrounds to become bursary schemes through financialchips used in the TI30, Little Professoralready in the industrybut also inspirethe innovators who will solve tomorrows greatest donations.calculators and Speak and Spell learning aidsyoung people and those with fewerchallenges.As you get to a certain agebefore moving on to a position at Intel. opportunities to see this as an incredibleVisit theiet.org/futuresfund to donate today. you realise how importantcareer path where they can thrive. the opportunities presentedThis entailed relocating from Bedford, UK toThe IET Futures Fund gives us a wayI would personally like to thank all our donors for their to you were and I becameChandler, Arizona, USA, and heralded theto laser-focus our efforts on particularextraordinary generosity. The support from individuals, more thankful for what Id beenstart of a 20-year career at the organisationprogrammes, with dedicated resourcecorporate partners, trusts and foundations is needed offered. he says. that included management of IC developmentearmarked to support social mobilityto create change in the future of engineeringand engineering, product and strategic marketingand unlock opportunities for those whobuild a profession that truly reflects the communities and business development. would otherwise be excluded. Those whoit serves. Over the years Ive accumulated more than 25would, undoubtedly, make incredible patents, but you might say my biggest claim toadditions to our future workforce.fame is being instrumental in getting the firstDawn Ohlson MEng CEng FIETBlackBerry microprocessor particular programIET Presidentoff the ground. he says proudly. Chair, IET Futures Fund Working Group'