Progressing towards our collective mission
This report presents EngineeringUK's first social impact review since launching our 2023 to 2028 strategy. It tracks progress against 4 impact areas:
- improving the quality, targeting and inclusivity of outreach
- increasing connection and collaboration
- increasing young people's capability, opportunity and motivation
- increasing reach and participation of underrepresented groups
The findings act as a reflection on progress so far and a platform for shaping the next phase of activity, leadership and advocacy work.
Key findings
Improving the quality, targeting and inclusivity of outreach
- EngineeringUK is seen as a trusted source of advice on developing effective STEM engagement (81%) and what inspires young people to choose engineering and technology (91%)
- We support The Code community and Neon providers by sharing knowledge, resources and best practice
Increasing connection and collaboration
- 4 in 5 stakeholders agreed EngineeringUK creates opportunities for partnerships and collaboration across the wider STEM community
- In the 2025 Code check-in, 71% said they'd worked with other STEM community members to deliver joint outreach activities (up from 66% in 2021)
Increasing young people's capability, opportunity and motivation
- In 2024/25, 43% of UK secondary schools engaged with our activities, reaching more than 206,000 young people
- Our evaluations show that our activities consistently build young people’s confidence, knowledge and motivation towards engineering and tech careers
- Activities giving young people the chance to hear from professionals and think like an engineer through hands-on activities were particularly effective. These sessions help young people understand what people working in these jobs do
Increasing reach and participation of underrepresented groups
- More than half of schools reached were priority schools serving communities underrepresented in the engineering and tech workforce
- In 2024/25, our bursaries removed financial barriers for more than 26,000 students across 114 priority schools. Most of these students wouldn't have been able to take part in the STEM activity without it
Who is this for?
- Employers
- Professional Engineering Institutions
- STEM outreach organisations
Our collaboration with EngineeringUK has reinforced the importance of embedding diversity and inclusion at the heart of our STEM outreach activity. Their workforce and academic update statistics have highlighted the ongoing underrepresentation within engineering and the need to maintain a strong focus on widening participation. As a result, we have strengthened our focus on engaging with schools in areas of higher social disadvantage and on adopting approaches that prioritise repeat interaction rather than single interventions. We have also reviewed our outreach materials and delivery approaches, with support from EngineeringUK, to ensure they are inclusive, relatable and reflective of a diverse range of pathways and role models within engineering.
— Leonardo, EngineeringUK Corporate Member
