IChemE and AIChE collaborate to promote engineering talent worldwide

IChemE and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) have announced a collaboration to provide free resources to support more people across the world into STEM careers.

With an urgent need for more people to join the global STEM workforce, the move is critical in addressing some of the biggest challenges of the 21st century – including the transition to a net zero future and securing sustainable food and water supplies. The partnership is also motivated by shortages of workers in this area worldwide, something that is only predicted to increase.

At a roundtable event in London in June 2024, AIChE and IChemE came together with a range of expert voices to discuss how to address this problem. AIChE and IChemE believe that – together and with others – we have a collective responsibility to help all countries develop sustainable STEM talent pools. To this end, IChemE and AIChE will:

• During 2024, establish the beginnings of an ongoing collection of free online resources for teachers and others across all geographies, (a) to encourage young people to see STEM as interesting and something they could pursue as an option for study and employment, and (b) to encourage and support young people into chemical engineering studies and careers.
• Identify key gaps in this suite of resources and work out how to supplement and improve usability as needed, in collaboration with others (including the Heads of Chemical Engineering UK and AIChE’s Department Heads Forum) and with input from young people and their influencers.
• Welcome others to join this collaboration (for example, the Chemical Institute of Canada and Engineers Australia) and to explore how to share such resources even more widely, working with stakeholders such as the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan and the Brazilian Society of Chemical Engineering.
• These actions will be taken forward in monthly meetings between AIChE and IChemE.

Read the full output of the collaborative workshop. 

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics, and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.

IChemE

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 30,000 members in more than 100 countries. 

We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.