EngineeringUK welcomes technical pathway reforms

Technical pathway reforms could boost engineering skills pipeline, says EngineeringUK

EngineeringUK welcomes the government’s ambition to strengthen technical pathways for young people. These pathways could provide an important route into engineering and technology careers, helping more young people understand the opportunities available and the different routes into them. 

Demand for engineering and technology skills continues to grow across the UK economy. They could play an important role in helping employers access the skilled workforce they need.

Nearly 20% of UK jobs are in engineering and technology. These roles are predicted to grow faster than other occupations across all UK regions between now and 2030.
 
As reforms are developed, it's important to make sure these pathways are supported by high-quality careers guidance and meaningful employer engagement. Young people’s and teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of engineering and technology careers and the technical pathways that can lead into them must increase.
 
Our latest briefing shows just over half of teachers feel confident advising their students about vocational and technical pathways into engineering. 36% of young people say that they know a fair amount about what engineers do.
 
Government should also ensure that girls and other groups currently underrepresented in engineering and technology are able to access, engage with and benefit from these opportunities. This is particularly important given the continued underrepresentation of women in engineering and technology. 
 
The proportion of women in engineering and technology roles has increased from around 10% in 2010 to 17% in 2025. But it remains substantially lower than across the wider workforce (56%).
 
EngineeringUK and the Gender Pathways Collective look forward to working with government as these proposals are developed. We want to significantly increase the number of girls on pathways into engineering and technology by age 18.