Since its launch in 2013, the schools activities created for Tomorrow's Engineers Week have reached more than 504,000 young people, helping them discover engineering and technology. As EngineeringUK celebrates its 25th anniversary, we look at how the campaign has brought engineering to life for the next generation.
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week has helped young people see how engineering connects to the things they care about and the role they could play in shaping the future. From tackling climate change to exploring artificial intelligence and finding solutions to everyday challenges.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, Tomorrow's Engineers Week is an example of how we’ve worked with schools and the wider engineering community. And how that work brings engineering and technology careers to life for the next generation.
Helping young people see engineering differently
Tomorrow's Engineers Week was launched by the then Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2013 in partnership with the engineering community. Its aim was to help young people discover the breadth of opportunities available in engineering and technology. It aimed to challenge traditional perceptions of what engineering involves and who can become an engineer. A key partner in that first campaign, EngineeringUK took over delivery of the Week the following year.
Over the years, the campaign has evolved to connect engineering and technology with the issues and interests that matter to young people. We encourage them to think creatively, solve problems and recognise how their skills could make a difference.
Through engaging activities, videos and classroom resources, it has helped teachers introduce engineering and tech careers in accessible and inspiring ways. It’s shown students how school subjects connect to real-world careers. And it has provided opportunities for engineers and technicians to share their story and route in with young people.
Inspiring the problem-solvers of tomorrow
Each year, Tomorrow's Engineers Week brings a fresh opportunity to show young people how engineering and technology can help address some of society's biggest challenges.
In 2026, the theme ‘Shape our future’ encourages young people to explore how engineering can make a positive difference through 3 design challenges.
‘Beat the heat’ invites students to develop solutions to extreme heat, ‘Smart support’ explores how artificial intelligence can help people, and ‘Beyond the plate’ challenges young people to find creative ways to reduce food waste.
By starting with problems young people can recognise and relate to, these activities help demonstrate that engineering isn't just about technical knowledge. It's also about imagination, creativity and finding solutions that improve people's lives.
Bringing the engineering community together
A key part of the Week's success has been the involvement of schools, employers and organisations across the engineering and technology community.
We bring these groups together to create a week-long campaign that everyone can get involved in. Tomorrow's Engineers Week is an important annual spotlight for schools and industry alike. Teachers and Careers Leaders use the resources we produce, the activities the community runs and the stories professionals tell to engage their students. Employers, Professional Engineering Institutions and people working in engineering and technology use the week to showcase the range of careers available and the different routes into them.
We want every young person who sees something about engineering and technology that week to see someone they can relate to. Someone who looks like them, sounds like them, has the same interests or motivations. That’s why mobilising the community underpins the success of the campaign. So, we reach more young people, their parents and teachers and show them engineering and tech is for everyone.
This collaborative approach has helped Tomorrow's Engineers Week grow into an established annual campaign, providing a shared opportunity to celebrate engineering and inspire the next generation.
Celebrating the next generation
More than a decade after its launch, Tomorrow's Engineers Week continues to encourage young people to discover how engineering and technology can shape the world around them.
The milestone of more than half a million participations reflects the scale of engagement with the campaign since 2013 and the collective efforts of the schools, employers and organisations that have helped bring it to life.
As EngineeringUK marks 25 years of inspiring young people, Tomorrow's Engineers Week remains an important part of that work, helping the next generation recognise that engineering offers opportunities to turn their ideas into solutions and make a difference to the world.
