EngineeringUK and the City & Guilds Foundation have launched a five-year initiative aimed at improving access to science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) education among secondary school pupils, as part of efforts to tackle long-standing barriers to participation and the UK’s chronic skills shortage in technical fields.
The project, announced ahead of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (10th–14th November), will fund multi-year bursaries and provide tailored support to schools to help them embed sustained STEM engagement into the curriculum. The scheme seeks to move schools away from one-off activities towards a more consistent programme of experiences designed to strengthen pupils’ academic outcomes and aspirations for careers in engineering and technology.
The initiative will target schools serving communities facing economic or geographical disadvantage. By focusing on underrepresented groups, the partnership aims to diversify the future STEM workforce and improve access to higher-paying, in-demand roles.
Amanda Aldercotte, Head of Evaluation and Impact at EngineeringUK, said the partnership would help schools offer “meaningful, sustained STEM experiences that support students’ aspirations and future careers”. She added that the project’s focus on diverse demographics would “reach students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those groups typically underrepresented in engineering and technology”.
Polly Rowe, Head of Foundation Programmes and Engagement at the City & Guilds Foundation, said the collaboration aimed to “inspire children to engage with STEM activities during secondary education”, arguing that this could “unlock life-changing opportunities” while addressing the “acute skills shortage” in the UK’s STEM sector.
The initiative will be independently evaluated over its five-year duration. Researchers will compare the education and career choices of participating students with those in schools not receiving support, to assess how sustained exposure to STEM activities influences long-term outcomes. The findings are expected to inform future investment in STEM engagement and careers provision.
Planned activities under the scheme include hands-on engineering projects, school trips such as visits to The Big Bang Fair, classroom initiatives linked to national events like Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, and extracurricular clubs such as Climate Action Clubs. Students will also hear from professionals in engineering and technology through career talks and case studies.
EngineeringUK, a not-for-profit body that works to increase participation in engineering and technology careers, has previously led national STEM engagement efforts through programmes including The Big Bang, Tomorrow’s Engineers, and the Neon careers platform. The City & Guilds Foundation focuses on improving skills and employability across sectors.
The partnership comes amid renewed concern about the UK’s shortage of qualified STEM workers. Industry bodies have warned that without targeted intervention, the gap between supply and demand in technical and engineering roles could widen, constraining productivity and economic growth.
