UEL, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Diversity of Thought

UEL’s Diversity of Thought Programme (DoT) is dedicated to empowering students from diverse backgrounds by providing them with the opportunities they deserve. Recognising the barriers these students face when aiming for top-tier companies, UEL works closely with students, staff, and industry professionals to understand these challenges. Many students feel these roles are out of reach and find the selection process intimidating.

To tackle this, the DoT Programme offers targeted support at key points in the recruitment process. This collaborative effort with industry partners aims to create flexible solutions that align with current recruitment practices while also increasing diversity in the talent pool. The goal is to help students not only consider these high-profile roles but also feel well-prepared to pursue them.

Dr Theodora Thomadaki, Employer Engagement Officer for the School of Architecture, Computing, and Engineering (ACE), said, 

I am proud to highlight the significant impact of our partnership with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure through the Diversity of Thought programme. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in creating meaningful opportunities for our students and underscores our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives can flourish. It exemplifies how strategic partnerships can drive innovation and excellence in our fields. 

"Working closely with Morgan Sindall team members, including Rory Cleary, Community Engagement Advisor, and Chris Dransfield, Social Value Manager has greatly inspired this project. Their innovative vision, and shared enthusiasm have greatly inspired this project. Their collective vision and support have been invaluable in building and strengthening our partnership, helping us create opportunities for both our students and the industry."

Rory Cleary from Morgan Sindall Rail highlighted the strategic alignment of the programme with the company’s core values of responsibility and equitable access to careers, noting it as a compelling initiative for the company to join. Mr Cleary explained that the DoT Programme fosters diversity within construction engineering by connecting industry professionals with talented students, effectively bridging the gap between education and employment.

Hackathons and hands-on learning: Preparing students for success

One of the programme's highlights is its hands-on approach to career development. In a recent hackathon, students collaborated with senior quantity surveyors and engineers from Morgan Sindall to tackle real-world challenges, offering them invaluable insights and practical experience. Mr Cleary remarked that the hackathon format was instrumental in assessing the students’ skills, teamwork, and innovative thinking within an industry-oriented setting. He noted, “Some of the answers were like, oh, wow, they've gone further than we expected,” highlighting the students' creativity and commitment to the event.

Placement opportunities: Bridging education and industry

Following the hackathon, Morgan Sindall offered four paid summer placements to students. These placements spanned key projects with Transport for London, including upgrades at the Beckton Depot, Surrey Quays, and Colindale station entrances. Mr Cleary praised the students’ enthusiasm, noting their eagerness to dive into projects and take on real responsibilities.

A particularly inspiring example was Hilal Ak, one of the UEL students on placement at the Colindale project. She embraced both day and night shifts, gaining comprehensive exposure to logistical and programmatic aspects of the project - a unique experience for Morgan Sindall’s placements. Ms Ak’s initiative impressed her mentors, and Dr Thomadaki expressed her excitement, noting that this level of dedication exemplifies the impact of the DoT Programme.

DoT Programme’s impact: A win-win for students and employers

The DoT Programme has proven to be mutually beneficial for both UEL and Morgan Sindall, providing students with essential industry skills while giving employers access to a diverse pool of emerging talent. As Mr Cleary observed, the programme helps Morgan Sindall foster a more inclusive workforce while bringing "contagious" energy into their teams. The result is a learning ecosystem where students gain invaluable experience and the industry benefits from fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. 

By meaningfully blending academia and industry, the DoT Programme is setting a new standard for career-oriented education. With UEL’s commitment to providing students with career-focused opportunities and Morgan Sindall’s dedication to cultivating diverse talent, this partnership paves the way for a new generation of professionals prepared to innovate and lead in their fields.