EngineeringUK launches new brand to inspire next generation into future STEM careers

Engineering and technology employs 6.3m people in the UK, accounting for 19 per cent of all jobs, but the sector is facing a huge skills and labour shortage.

According to the not-for-profit organisation, more young people from all backgrounds are needed to create a diverse workforce and made aware of the wide range of STEM roles available, as well as the many different routes into these careers.

The new EUK Education site is set to be a ‘one stop shop’ to bring together STEM programmes and free STEM education and career resources previously hosted by EngineeringUK.

“Teachers and career leaders are at the heart of everything we do. We know from our close work with schools and colleges the many challenges out there. We want to support you in the vital STEM work you do,” Eleanor Eyre, head of careers at EngineeringUK, said in a statement.

EUK Education will provide up-to-date information about careers in engineering and tech, how to get into them and what skills employers need; opportunities to meet and hear from inspiring people working in STEM jobs and the companies they work for; and funding to run STEM drop down days, access costed programmes and give students more opportunities. 

‘Tomorrow’s Engineers Week’ – EUK’s annual celebration of engineering, science and technology – will take place from November 11 – 15, with the theme ‘Power up your passion’ aiming to dispel the image that engineering is about hard hats and construction but instead about problem solving, innovation, creativity and making a difference in a wide range of careers.

Linking young people to STEM employers, the week-long campaign features resources from ‘Day in the Life’ films on engineers to a panel where young people can talk to engineers about their work.  

EngineeringUK chief executive, Dr Hilary Leevers, said: “We hope having all our fantastic free resources and programmes like our new Climate Schools Programme, Energy Quest, and Tomorrow’s Engineers, plus STEM resources and careers, will really help the teaching and careers community – and ultimately the sector – in inspiring more young people into rewarding, interesting and lucrative STEM careers.”