Neil Wright wins the UKESF Award for Inspirational Electronics Educators

Inspiring the next generation: Neil Wright wins the UKESF Award for Inspirational Electronics Educators

In Neil Wright’s classroom at William Farr CofE Comprehensive School, Electronics is not just a topic on the timetable, it is nightlights made from recycled materials, sumo-bots battling it out in the lab, and students imagining how their designs might change the world.

That energy and creativity have now been recognised nationally, with Neil, Teacher of Electronics & Design Engineering at William Farr, named the winner of The UKESF Award for Inspirational Electronics Educators, Sponsored by Synopsys.

The Award recognises a teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to Electronics education in the last 12 months and has a creative idea to further inspire the next generation. The UKESF received a number of really brilliant entries from teachers nationwide who are championing Electronics in the classroom and going above and beyond to break down barriers and inspire students to pursue rewarding careers in the sector.

Speaking about the importance of teachers in Electronics, Sophie Batin, Head of Education, UKESF, said: “Teachers’ dedication and passion are the catalysts that ignite students’ interest in Electronics.”

As winner, Neil receives a £500 personal reward, a £1,000 grant to support Electronics education at William Farr, and will be a guest of the UKESF at the TechWorks Awards 2025.

Reflecting on the recognition, Neil Wright said: “I am very grateful for the recognition this award gives – it makes the effort worthwhile because it’s been noticed… I hope that this award will go on to inspire other teachers to apply in the future and feel likewise.”

A sustainable, hands-on journey through Electronics

Neil has developed a sustainable, context-based, reusable Electronics philosophy across all year groups, giving students a clear, hands-on pathway into the subject:

• Year 7: basic circuits, building transistor-based nightlights using recycled materials
• Year 8: microcontroller-based sweet dispensers, with many students achieving Bronze CREST awards
• Year 9: modular Arduino via the Seeed Grove ecosystem, creating crop-based environmental monitoring systems using a Scratch-like interface
• Year 10: Arduino IDE and C++, integrating AI for complex projects such as an in-house sumo-bot competition

This progression leads to strong Year 11 GCSE projects and impressive outcomes beyond the classroom. This year, Neil supported 10 Arkwright scholarship applications, with 6 awarded. At A-Level, students tackle projects such as automated guided vehicles in an Amazon warehouse context and take part in national events such as Big Bang and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow; this culminates in strong university pathways, including a UKESF Semiconductor Award at the University of Sheffield for one of Neil’s students this year.

“After leaving William Farr, I hope students can look back and know as a subject and as a supporting industry, we did our best for them… It has hopefully also shown them what they are truly capable of by challenging them to push their limits.”
Neil Wright

Using the £1,000 grant to widen participation

Neil plans to use the £1,000 grant to entice more students into Electronics, particularly girls, and to make opportunities more inclusive for all learners. Over the next 12 months, he intends to:

• Run group trips to Girls into Electronics, using part of the grant to subsidise transport costs
• Arrange more industrial visits, giving students a real insight into Electronics in the workplace
• Invest in the Alvik system to enable lower-stakes entry into the school’s sumobot activities for students with Special Educational Needs, and to support a wider range of project investigations with faster turnaround at KS5

“The grant awarded by UKESF is a game changer and allows us to invest in reusable modular kit where we can explore new projects easily… This is where I want to get the ‘wow’ factor sparking the fire of imagination.”
Neil Wright

Recognising three inspiring runners up

Three inspiring teachers have been recognised as runners up, each receiving a £250 prize for their contribution to Electronics education:

• Pete Dring, Head of Computing at Fulford School, who leads inclusive STEM and Game Development clubs that prioritise SEND students and ensure at least 50% of places are given to girls, as well as leading robotics interventions
• Olga Nayler, Head of Science and Physics/Science teacher at Lift Ryde, who takes Physics beyond the syllabus using Arduino and Music Kits and actively promotes Electronics careers, including trips to events such as UKESF’s Girls into Electronics
• Ian Bell, PT STEM DYW and Electronics Teacher at Calderglen High School, who has strengthened Electronics education through inclusive, hands-on experiences such as a Girls in STEM Day for over 250 pupils and, through the Young Engineers Club and his role as SQA Principal Assessor for National 5 Practical Electronics, supports one of the largest school Electronics cohorts in Scotland.

Together, Neil, alongside all those who submitted outstanding entries, demonstrate how passionate, knowledgeable educators can transform students’ experiences of Electronics and influence their future study and career choices in STEM.

As UKESF marks its 15th anniversary, the Award forms part of a wider commitment to recognise teachers and the vital role they play in inspiring future engineers. The UKESF would like to thank Synopsys for supporting The UKESF Award for Inspirational Electronics Educators and their commitment to encouraging more young people to study Electronics and pursue careers in the sector.

The UKESF is pleased to share its Impact Report 2024-25. 

Highlights from the year include: 

• A record number of UKESF Scholarship applications and awards 

• We announced Semiconductor: Skills, Talent and Education Programme, a major new initiative to equip more young people, undergraduates and early career engineers with the skills to thrive in the semiconductor industry 

• More than 500 girls attend Girls into Electronics events across the country 

• We launched our new Primary Electronics programme 

• We contributed to the discourse around work-readiness and demand for skills 

A heartfelt thank you for the generous support of our sponsors, university partners, employers, and volunteers, and the dedication of the students, scholars and educators who take part in our programmes.  

Read the report in full here. 

Celebrating our 15th year 

In May 2025, the UKESF turned 15. To celebrate this milestone, we have announced a number of new initiatives: 

• Launch of our new UKESF Strategy 2025-2030 

• Recognising Teachers and the vital role they have in shaping young minds and inspiring future engineers through The UKESF Award for Inspirational Electronics Educators Sponsored by Synopsys 

• Recognising employers for empowering young people to thrive in Electronics through the UKESF Skills Charter 

• Bringing together those involved in developing young engineers to share best practice through the Network of Early Career Professionals 

• Supporting our graduating Scholars with the transition to the workplace through an additional event focused on skills development and networking 

Get involved 

Are you interested to find out more about our mission to encourage more young people to study Electronics and to pursue careers in the sector? Do you think you could help? Get in touch to find out how you could be involved. 

The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is proud to announce the Semiconductor Talent Award is supporting over 300 bright and motivated undergraduates embarking on an Electronics degree at over 30 UK universities in 2025/26.

Award-holders will receive a comprehensive support package throughout their first year of university, including a £4,000 bursary, tailored mentoring, access to industry insights and opportunities for professional development.

The Semiconductor Talent Award is part of the Semiconductor: Skills, Talent and Education Programme (STEP), a Government funded initiative to equip more young people with the skills to thrive in the UK’s Semiconductor industry. The Award aims to encourage students to focus on semiconductors from the outset of their studies.

Successful Induction Events across the UK

In September 2025, Award-holders attended one of five ‘buzzing’ Induction Events, held in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Glasgow, and online. These events were designed to inspire the next generation of Electronics Engineers by sharing valuable insights into the semiconductor landscape and highlighting rewarding careers.

During the events:

• Speakers from industry, academia, and government shared their insights. Speakers included representatives from Arm, the Department Science, Innovation and Technology, Cadence, CSA Catapult and Siemens.

• Thirty companies exhibited, providing students with firsthand exposure to career opportunities in semiconductors.

• Participants had opportunity to meet others embarking on a career in the semiconductor industry and begin to build a supportive network.

Award recipients praised the Induction Events for their energy, insight, and the chance to engage directly with industry leaders:

“The event motivated me to think about how I can progress further and thrive in my journey into electronics.” – Award-holder studying at the University of Leeds

“It was a great opportunity to meet fellow award holders and connect with the companies available.” – Award-holder studying at Kings College London

“It was amazing to meet with prominent companies in the industry.” – Award-holder studying at the University of York

Securing a talent pipeline for the UK’s Semiconductor future

The Semiconductor Talent Award is part of an overall pathway from schools’ engagement through to careers in the semiconductor industry.

Following the completion of their first year of university, Award-holders can apply for a UKESF Scholarship, which offers opportunities for paid work experience, ongoing bursaries, and industry networking. For 15 years, this Award-winning scheme has supported more than 900 undergraduates to gain meaningful work experience with over 100 electronics and technology employers.

By supporting these undergraduates, the UKESF is helping to strengthen the UK’s Electronics and semiconductor talent pipeline, ensuring innovation, growth, and global competitiveness.

Find out more about the Semiconductor Talent Award, download the full report here.

As part of the Industrial Strategy: Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has announced that there will be further support in the next 3 years. This is through a £35 million UK-wide skills programme and will include semiconductor bursaries to boost enrolment in priority degree courses and semiconductor-focused STEM outreach activities.

UKESF launches its 2025 – 2030 strategy to inspire the next generation of Electronics Engineers and address the growing skills shortage

The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has unveiled its new 2025–2030 strategy, focused on addressing the growing skills gap in the UK’s Electronics and semiconductor sectors.

As the voice for skills in the industry, UKESF engages with schools, universities, and employers to encourage young people to study Electronics and pursue careers in this critical sector. Electronics Engineers contribute to virtually every area of modern life, including AI, digitalisation, green energy, healthcare, communications, and manufacturing, making their work essential to tackling some of society’s biggest challenges.

However, demand for skilled Electronics engineers currently exceeds supply. UKESF’s strategy emphasizes creating sustainable solutions by inspiring young people, equipping them with relevant skills, and building strong industry connections.

Encouraging More Young People to Study Electronics

Through an integrated programme that spans primary, secondary, and university education, UKESF is working to inspire and equip the next generation of Electronics Engineers.

• At primary level, children are introduced to STEM and Electronics through engaging activities that foster curiosity and teamwork.
• At secondary level, UKESF provides hands-on resources and enrichment activities designed to inspire and motivate pupils.
• At university level, the focus is on ensuring students gain meaningful experiences, scholarships, and skills development opportunities.

The charity also champions diversity and inclusion, supporting teachers with resources and training to make Electronics accessible, engaging, and relevant for all young people.

Connecting the Most Capable Students from Universities with Leading Employers

Electronics graduates need more than technical knowledge; they require business awareness, professional skills, and practical industry experience.

Through initiatives such as the UKESF Scholarship Scheme, the Foundation connects students with employers, helping them to gain valuable work experience and confidence as they prepare for the workplace. Alumni benefit from ongoing professional development and networking opportunities, building a strong community of early-career engineers.

By fostering strong connections between universities, students, and employers, UKESF is ensuring the sector has the “work-ready” engineers it needs to thrive.

Skills Advocacy on Behalf of the Electronics Industry

UKESF acts as a representative voice for the industry, raising awareness of the skills shortage and working with policymakers to champion practical solutions.

The Foundation nurtures collaboration between schools, universities, and industry, helping to align skills provision with real-world needs. Employers are encouraged to play an active role in outreach, championing Electronics careers to young people and addressing barriers to participation.

“Moving beyond talk about the skills shortage to take positive action is what the UKESF is all about,” said Stewart Edmondson, CEO of UKESF.

With a track record of collaboration with over 100 employers, 30 universities, and 900 schools, UKESF is uniquely positioned to build a robust and sustainable pipeline of Electronics talent to power the UK’s innovation for decades to come.

The UKESF is pleased to announce that Professor Claire Lucas, Dean of Engineering and Innovation at Aston University, has joined the charity’s board as a Trustee. Claire has a long-standing relationship with UKESF, first becoming involved in 2013 when she represented Jaguar Land Rover as an industrial speaker. Since returning to academia, she has attended and hosted UKESF Summer Schools and events and contributed to Innovate UK-funded semiconductor skills work.

Claire’s research focuses on capability and capacity development in the UK engineering sector; particularly how education and professional development support the growth of engineers. Her group has created the first non-technical skills taxonomy for engineering, developed in collaboration with senior industry leaders to identify the behaviours of high-performing engineers.

Alongside her leadership at Aston, Claire brings extensive experience from senior roles at King’s College London and the University of Warwick. Nationally, she has contributed to engineering policy and standards as Deputy Chair of the 2022 QAA Subject Benchmark for Engineering, as an IET academic accreditor, and as a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Education & Skills Committee.

As a first-generation university student from a rural, working-class background, Claire is passionate about outreach and widening participation. In recognition of her commitment to gender diversity in engineering education, she received the Women’s Engineering Society Prize at the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards in 2019.

“Having Claire join the UKESF board brings invaluable experience from academia, industry, and national engineering policy. She has been part of our community for many years, from speaking at events to hosting our Summer Schools and her leadership in education, combined with her commitment to widening participation, will make a real difference as we continue to inspire the next generation of Electronics engineers.”

Neil Dickins, UKESF Chair of Trustees

The UK Electronics Skills Foundation is recognising 33 employers for their commitment to equipping the next generation of engineers with technical and non-technical skills needed by our industry.

For too many years, too few young people have been pursuing careers in Electronics. However, these 33 employers from across the Electronics and Technology industry are taking positive and effective action to address the skills challenge. The Charter aims to celebrate employers that:

• Consistently support undergraduates to gain industry experience
• Encourage and provide opportunities for employees to promote Electronics to young people through outreach and engagement activities
• Are committed to making Electronics a more inclusive profession.

The full list of companies being recognised include: Arm; AMD; Apple; Cadence Design Systems Ltd; Chess Dynamics; Codasip; Collins Aerospace; Cirrus Logic; CSA Catapult; Dukosi; EDA Solutions; Embecosm; Ensilica; IDEX Biometrics UK Ltd; Infineon Technologies UK; ITDev; Leonardo (Edinburgh); MAC Ltd; Nordson; Plextek; Qualcomm Technologies; Raspberry Pi; Renesas Electronics Europe; Renishaw; R-P-R; Sensata Technologies; Siemens EDA; STFC Microelectronics Centre; STMicroelectronics; Teledyne; Viper Innovations; Waters; ZF Automotive.

Talking about the Charter, Stewart Edmondson, CEO, UKESF, said “The UKESF Skills Charter has been announced as part of the UKESF’s 15-year anniversary celebrations, to recognise employers that have collaborated with our charity to provide exceptional opportunities that support more young people into the sector. This recognition is a way that we can say thank you to those who have provided continued support to the next generation.”

From 26 – 29 August, we welcomed 55 bright and motivated Scholars from 18 universities, after the completion of their work placements with 32 leading employers, to the University of York for the annual Professional Development Course.

This four-day residential programme is a cornerstone of our award-winning Scholarship Scheme, designed to ensure that Scholars become work-ready graduates with the skills, confidence and professional networks needed to thrive in industry.

A packed agenda

The programme combined technical and non-technical skill-building, reflecting the competencies employers consistently identify as critical for early-career engineers. Sessions included:

• Professional & Business Ethics with UKESF CEO Stewart Edmondson
• Career Development and Networking with UKESF Chair Neil Dickins (IC Resources)
• Communication and Negotiation Skills with Ben Dowman and IET trainers Debbie Hertz & Cathy Curtis
• Leading & Managing Diverse Teams with Lynn Tomkins
• Intellectual Property & Patents with Jeremy Smith (Mathys & Squire LLP)
• Cyber Security & Digital Footprints with Phil Cordey (Cyber Security Associates Ltd)
• Postgraduate Pathways with Kasper Buckbee and Michail Rontionov

Alongside expert-led sessions, Scholars took part in team-building challenges and networking activities, culminating in a formal dinner, all designed to mirror the collaborative and professional environments they will encounter in the workplace.

Scholar feedback

The Course continues to deliver excellent results:

• 100% rated it “Excellent” or “Good”
• 75% said it exceeded their expectations
• 98% enjoyed the group exercises, and the formal dinner was rated Excellent by 82%

Top-rated sessions included Effective Negotiation, Communication and Skills and Managing Your Digital Footprint. Scholars found Utilising Professional Networks & CV Advice particularly valuable for professional development.

Scholars praised the experience:

“They were all better than my expectations.”

“Superb Course, 10/10!”

“All extremely interesting and useful, a very enjoyable week overall.”

“I had a great time, learned an awful lot, and made a lot of connections; thank you so much for running this great event :)”

By strengthening skills such as negotiation, networking, communication and ethics, the Course ensures Scholars are better equipped to succeed in graduate recruitment and make an immediate impact when they enter the workplace.

Part of the UKESF Scholarship Scheme

The Professional Development Course is a highlight of the UKESF Scholarship Scheme, which connects undergraduates with leading employers across the Electronics sector. In addition to paid summer placements, Scholars gain access to personal and professional development opportunities that build the pipeline of skilled young engineers our industry needs.

Employers, discover how your company can benefit from hosting a Scholar and supporting the Scheme. Please get in touch at ukesf.org.

We are delighted to announce that the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has been awarded a prestigious Princess Royal Training Award 2025, our second time receiving this national honour.

The Award recognises organisations across the UK that have created outstanding training and skills development programmes which result in exceptional benefits for individuals and businesses. UKESF has once again been recognised for our flagship Scholarship Scheme, which combines professional education, employability training, and paid work placements with leading employers for undergraduates studying Electronics at universities throughout the UK.

The Award acknowledges the long-term success and continued growth of the programme. Since launching in 2010, the UKESF has awarded over 900 Scholarships, with 90% of graduates going on to work in Electronics and Technology roles.

Electronics, especially semiconductor design and manufacture, is a strategically important and growing sector of the UK economy. However, the demand for capable graduates continues to outstrip supply. The UKESF Scholarship Scheme addresses this challenge by providing wrap-around support and a structured development pathway for students.

Key elements of the Scheme include:

· Paid employment through flexible work placements

· Skills training that complements academic study

· Industry insight and networking opportunities

· Confidence building through outreach and public engagement

The programme is also delivering impact on diversity:

· 25% of current Scholars are female (industry average ~11%)

· 47% are from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds

· 66% attended state schools

· 21% are the first in their family to go to university

Stewart Edmondson, CEO of UKESF, said:

“To be honoured for a second time with a Princess Royal Training Award is amazing. It is wonderful recognition of the sustained impact of our Scheme. It reflects the dedication of everyone involved our team, our university partners, and the employers who sponsor our amazing Scholars. Together, we are building the next generation of Electronics Engineers.”

The Award ceremony will take place later this year, when UKESF representatives will meet Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal to receive the Award.

We will hold the Princess Royal Training Award 2025 for three years.

If you would like to learn more about our Scholarship Scheme or how to get involved, please contact Lucy Edmondson or Jess Steele at [email protected]

The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is proud to share the outstanding impact of Girls into Electronics 2025; a programme designed to engage and inspire teenage girls about the exciting possibilities of studying and working in Electronics.

This year’s programme reached 506 girls, aged 14–17, from 92 schools across the UK. Hosted by 15 partner universities, each one-day event gave participants hands-on experiences and invaluable insight into the world of Electronics. From engaging lectures delivered by senior female academics to practical sessions with the Grove Beginner Kit for Arduino, the initiative highlighted how Electronics plays a crucial role in sectors like healthcare, quantum computing, and photonics.

“This event was genuinely career altering… I can truly see myself having a career in Electronics/Engineering.” – 2025 Participant

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

• 96% rated the events ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’
• 80% felt more enthused about Electronics
• 56% who were not previously considering a career in Electronics are now inspired to do so

Importantly, the programme is reaching a diverse cohort:

• 41% of attendees were from ethnic minority backgrounds
• 10% were receiving free school meals
• 16% would be first-generation university students

Read the full Girls into Electronics 2025 Report here → Download the PDF

This year, 43 participants from Years 12 and 13 were selected for the Apple GiE Mentor Programme, pairing them with engineers from Apple for three months of mentoring and career guidance. That’s a significant increase from 18 mentees last year, which is fantastic progress and reflects the growing impact of the scheme.

Supported by Apple and delivered in collaboration with UKESF partner universities, Girls into Electronics is helping to address the gender imbalance in the Electronics sector, where just 335 women enrolled on relevant UK degree programmes in 2021.

A huge thank you to our partner universities, the dedicated volunteers, and the engineers from Apple who gave their time and energy to inspire the next generation. And most importantly, thank you to the brilliant students who came ready to learn, ask questions, and challenge themselves. Your enthusiasm and curiosity are what make this programme so impactful.

We are already planning for 2026, aiming to build on this success and open even more doors for young women in STEM. Get in touch at [email protected] to be informed when more details are available.

Find out more about Girls Into Electronics here