The 2024–25 GEEP (Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme) officially concluded on 4 July 2025, marked by a vibrant graduation event celebrating one of the most impactful years to date. Instigated by the Royal Academy of Engineering, GEEP’s focus remains on bridging the gap between engineering students and industry and it continues to deliver meaningful results. UKOPA fully supports the initiative and was proud to play its part.
A Record-Breaking Year for GEEP
This year’s programme saw exceptional engagement and impact:
- 1,100 student applications were received, with 365 selected following motivational interviews.
- 77% of those students completed all of the programme’s skill milestones.
- By the end of the programme, 44% of students had gained work exposure or secured graduate roles, internships, or placements—a 27% increase on last year’s outcome.
These results not only demonstrate GEEP’s growing influence but also the power of targeted industry support in shaping the future of engineering talent in the UK.
Industry-Wide Impact
The success of GEEP is also thanks to the dedication of industry professionals who invested their time and expertise:
- 211 volunteers delivered over 1,050 hours through 31 masterclasses and insight sessions.
- Mentorship was a major driver of the programme’s success:
- 236 mentors conducted at least one session
- 171 mentors supported their mentees through at least six sessions
- In total, nearly 1,170 hours of mentoring calls were logged, along with 9,872 text-based messages exchanged.
- When including mentor training, the industry contributed over 2,600 hours to developing the next generation of engineers.
UKOPA’s Role in Supporting Future Engineers
UKOPA was proud to be a part of this transformative year. Our contribution may have been modest in size, but it was rooted in a commitment to mentoring and professional development:
- 2 UKOPA mentors provided a combined 9 hours of one-on-one mentoring and exchanged 46 messages with their mentees.
- UKOPA was represented at one of the 31 industry group events, with one of our volunteers investing 2.25 hours in event participation and student engagement.
This involvement aligns with UKOPA’s broader mission—to support the safety, integrity, and future of the UK’s onshore pipeline industry, not only through standards and operational guidance but also by nurturing the next generation of professionals.
Charles Okereafor, Operations Support Manager at INEOS and a UKOPA member, was a willing volunteer and commented on his involvement: “At the UKOPA Board and Members meetings I first heard of the GEEP initiative as a response to the UK’s current shortage of engineers.
“As a business we are always looking to do our bit by sponsoring master’s degrees or PhDs for students in UK universities, involved in studies or research that benefits Pipeline Engineering. However, the idea of mentoring young people who have a desire to get involved in engineering but were unsure how to go about it or were struggling to find their place because of reasons such as background, lack of mentorship etc really appealed to me.
“I had received mentorship myself and felt it right to help others. I had some experience of mentoring through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) so I knew what to expect with the programme. I also asked Stephen Newton who is also a Fellow of the IMechE to get involved as, like myself, Stephen does a lot of mentoring work and is the administrator of INEOS O&P UK (MPDS).
“At the mentoring sessions, I asked questions, listened and gave advice and I could see how the support helped improve my mentee’s confidence and communication. I’m delighted to say that they also secured a job in engineering shortly afterwards.”
Looking Ahead
The GEEP 2025–26 programme kicks off this September, and UKOPA looks forward to lending its continued support. With mentor training starting in October and group events launching in November, UKOPA is eager to stay involved and help shape a diverse, skilled, and confident engineering workforce.
If you would like to support next year’s programme, please contact Secretary@UKOPA.co.uk to register your interest.
We’re also looking forward to celebrating GEEP’s 10-year anniversary on 10 September—a milestone that reflects a decade of collaboration, learning, and opportunity.
Thank you to the GEEP team for your energy, professionalism, and commitment to the development of young engineers. UKOPA is delighted to once again support this valuable initiative.
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