Setting out our policy priorities
We’ve set out clear, evidence-based policy asks to support the UK to develop a strong, diverse and sustainable engineering and technology workforce.
Our recommendations highlight where government action is needed to strengthen education and training pathways, improve access to engineering and technology careers and address skills shortages.
Together, these recommendations reflect the need for a more strategic, joined up and long-term approach to workforce planning.
Our 3 recommendations
1 Build a resilient engineering and technology workforce
Embed long-term workforce planning across education and skills systems
Government must balance short-term skills needs with long-term planning to make sure the UK has the workforce it needs now and in the future. This includes:
- adopting a ‘back-casting’ approach to identify long-term workforce needs – in order to better link pre-16 education with employment outcomes
- setting clear targets for the number of young people progressing through different post-16 training pathways and aligning funding decisions accordingly
- increasing investment in younger people to inspire and enable progression into engineering and technology careers
It's also essential that the role of schools in building foundational knowledge and skills is recognised across government and reflected in decision making.
2 Drive greater coordination across government and the UK
Strengthen collaboration across departments, sectors and nations
Government must address siloed thinking and take a more coordinated approach to delivering education and skills policy. This includes:
- taking a joined up approach to make sure that workforce demand evidence informs decision-making. The should be across education, skills and delivery of the Industrial Strategy
- establishing a cross-government 'engineering and technology workforce strategy. This would align skills planning across priority sectors and avoid competition for engineering and technology talent
3 Improve access and equity in engineering and technology pathways
Increase diversity and enable more young people to access opportunities
Meeting future workforce demand will require a significant increase in the number and diversity of people entering engineering and technology careers. Government must play a more active role through:
- supporting schools to deliver high-quality STEM enrichment that reaches and engages all young people (particularly girls and other groups underrepresented in the sector)
- working in partnership with employers, local authorities, schools and the wider sector to deliver work experience, STEM outreach and showcase the breadth of opportunities
- delivering targeted action to address underrepresentation in engineering and technology pathways. This includes making sure STEM teaching materials are gender-inclusive and enable engaging education
While the importance of STEM education and careers provision is recognised, stronger leadership and investment are needed to translate ambition into sustained, system-wide impact.
Our programmes
We want all young people to have the chance to get hands-on with STEM, to meet and learn about people working in engineering and tech careers. Our inspiring, curriculum-linked programmes offer that opportunity. We don’t charge schools to participate.
