2 min read - 3 Nov, 2026
Three million young people inspired: EngineeringUK marks 25 years
Established in 2001, EngineeringUK has now reached almost 3 million young people through its activities and resources, partnered with more than 1,000 organisations, and published 150 pieces of research. It has helped build understanding of the sector and its contribution, and shown a generation where engineering and technology could take them.
As the not-for-profit celebrates 25 years at the heart of promoting engineering and technology, EngineeringUK has released new analysis highlighting the growth of STEM subjects since 2001. STEM subjects now account for 45% of all A-level entries, up from 33% in 2001. Mathematics alone increased its share from 8.8% in 2001 to around 12.7% in 2026, while biology, chemistry, and physics collectively grew from 16.3% to 20.4%.
Over the same period, the number of engineering and technology undergraduate degree entries rose from 108,455 to 172,375, while engineering and technology-related apprenticeships doubled—growing from 51,200 starts in 2002 to 102,280 in 2024/25 (latest data available).
Today, engineering and technology continue to play a vital role in the UK economy, employing 6.3 million people – that’s around 1 in 5 of the workforce.
EngineeringUK has now reached almost 3 million young people through its activities and resources / Picture: Getty/iStock
While there is much to celebrate, the analysis also identifies that further progress is still needed. The percentage of entries to physics A-level by girls has only risen from 22% to 24% across the period, while their share of mathematics entries has remained unchanged at 37%. In 2010, women made up only 10% of the UK’s engineering and technology workforce and the pace of change has been slow. Women remain significantly underrepresented today at just 17% of the workforce.
To address this and align with its vision, EngineeringUK, on behalf of the Gender Pathways collective, recently published the 40 by 40 blueprint for action. The initiative calls for targeted measures to ensure that girls and young women make up at least 40% of young people on educational pathways into engineering and technology by 2040.
Dr Hilary Leevers, chief executive of EngineeringUK, said: “EngineeringUK’s 25th anniversary is a great time to celebrate how far we’ve come and mark the achievements of young people, educators, employers and organisations across the engineering and technology community.
“We’re proud to have reached more than 3 million young people, helping them discover the exciting opportunities that engineering and technology careers can offer. The growth in the uptake of STEM subjects over the past 25 years is really encouraging.
“None of this would have been possible without working in partnership. As we look ahead to the next 25 years, we want to build on what we’ve achieved together to reach even more young people and help ensure engineering and technology is open to everyone, whatever their background.”
The anniversary celebrations begin ahead of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week (9 to 13 November), which will encourage young people to explore how engineering and technology can help shape our future. This year’s campaign will challenge young people to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to tackle real-world issues, from extreme heat and food waste to the role of artificial intelligence in supporting people.
For more information, visit www.engineeringuk.com/25years
