IGEM refugee membership helps keep gas professionals connected

To mark Refugee Week, we are reflecting on the first year of the IGEM refugee membership, created to support gas engineers and professionals who have been displaced from their home countries and are currently not in paid work.

Launched in 2024, the membership aims to help individuals stay connected to the gas industry, retain their professional identity, and continue their development during a challenging period of transition.

Since launch, we have received a small, targeted number of applications, reflecting the specific nature of this initiative. It has been encouraging to see the value this initiative is already providing, with members able to connect with the IGEM community, stay informed about industry developments, and engage with professional knowledge and development opportunities.

The membership is offered free of charge, in a similar way to IGEM’s student membership, helping to remove barriers for those who have been forced to leave their home countries due to war, conflict, violence, or persecution.

Professional connection is an important part of maintaining skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Through this initiative, IGEM is helping ensure displaced engineers and professionals can remain engaged with their industry and access the same opportunities as others within the professional community.

This work also forms part of IGEM’s wider commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. At IGEM, we aim to create a welcoming and inclusive professional home for all gas engineers, where diversity is celebrated and everyone is supported to reach their potential. EDI is embedded across our activities as we continue to challenge ourselves to build a more equitable and inclusive industry.

As we recognise Refugee Week, we remain committed to continuing this support and ensuring more individuals can benefit from IGEM membership.