Building the Future Semiconductor Skills Pipeline: Taking the first STEP
A blog from Stewart Edmondson, CEO, UKESF
There is an oft quoted maxim that “every great journey begins with a single step”. This seems apt as the UKESF has been taking an important first STEP building the future skills pipeline.
In Spring last year, the then Science Minister, Lord Vallance announced a skills package for semiconductors to support “local talent pipelines and university-industry collaboration”. Having won the contract to be the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology’s partner for what became known as the Semiconductor Talent & Education Programme (STEP), we began our work in May 2025.
Now, after a whirlwind 11-months, we can reflect on a hugely successful programme, which included four separate projects from schools through to colleges to universities. Whilst it will take time to assess the longer-term impact of the programme, the headline figures make impressive reading:
Although STEP was a stand-alone programme, it didn’t come out of nowhere for the UKESF. Rather, it was built on the solid foundation of more than decade of experience. This has included Spark their Imagination, an impactful programme in South Wales delivered in collaboration with the CSA Catapult, our Electronics Everywhere project providing classroom resources to schools across the UK, as well as experience gained from Girls into Electronics and from our Award-winning, flagship, UKESF Scholarship Scheme.
A key learning from STEP has been about the importance of collaboration. We were able to deliver this national programme because of the relationships and support from our extensive network of partners across the UK, these range from our 30 partner universities through to regional colleges like South Devon. From training providers like Doulos to the National Microelectronics Support Centre and NMIS, the CSA Catapult, TechWorks and of course our many industry partners.
Another reflection has been about the appetite and high level of interest in participating in the programme. Applications for the Semiconductor Talent Award were oversubscribed, and we were able to readily find schools wanting to engage to use our classroom resources and to attend events. This level of enthusiasm has been encouraging and shows that there is untapped potential to build a future skills pipeline.
However, only so much can be achieved in (less than) a single academic year. In this respect, the programme should be viewed very much as a first STEP. In effect, a pilot, to demonstrate what can be achieved.
Like many other nations, we are at a point of strategic inflection for the UK’s semiconductor sector. Looking ahead, there is a need for sustained investment to deliver multi-year, focussed, education interventions and future workforce programmes with ambition. We need to build-on and build out from STEP, to enable the UK to fulfil its strategy ambitions in the semiconductor sector.
Read our Semiconductor Talent Award report here
Read our Semiconductor Skills in Schools report here
The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is delighted to announce that the Semiconductor Talent Award 2026 will provide comprehensive skills support for 700 undergraduate students throughout the 2026/27 academic year, equipping them with the sector-specific knowledge needed by the semiconductor industry.
“This support will be crucial to raise awareness of highly skilled, rewarding careers in the sector, and create a robust pipeline of motivated and capable graduates.” Stewart Edmondson, CEO, UKESF
The Award, funded by the UK Government, has been both extended and expanded to provide a programme of activities for first-year students studying Electronics, Computer Science, Materials Science and Physics. Continued support will also be available for those who participated in the scheme in 2025 and are entering their second-year of university.
The UK Semiconductor Sector is strategically vital and globally competitive; it has a well-established global reputation for excellence in semiconductor design and innovation. It will play an important role in underpinning emerging and transformational technologies. However, it is estimated that the sector could require more than double the current level of employment inflows to meet future demand (Semiconductor Workforce Survey, UK Government 2025).
The Award aims to break down barriers to entering the semiconductor workforce for those from underrepresented groups. Successful Award-holders will receive a £4,000 scholarship to support their studies, alongside interactions with an experienced industry mentor, professional skills development opportunities and industry insight webinars, and regional industry visits.
The programme will be delivered in collaboration with academic and industry partners, including the University of Sheffield, University of Edinburgh, UK Semiconductor Centre, ARM, CSA Catapult, STFC, IMAPS-UK and Doulos.
Applications are open for students starting a degree in an eligible subject at a UKESF partner university in September/October 2026. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2026. Find out more here.
Speaking about the Semiconductor Talent Award, Stewart Edmondson, CEO, UKESF said “The investment being made by the Government is very positive and most welcome. We’re thrilled to continue our work with more of these aspiring and inspiring students.
We’ll do our best to improve their sector-specific knowledge and skills, and engage with industry so that they are prepared to the ground running as graduates. This will help build a robust future talent pipeline for the UK semiconductor sector”
Alex Leadley, Director of Skills and Workforce at the UK Semiconductor Centre said “We are delighted to see the UK Government’s continued support for the UKESF Semiconductor Talent Award scheme. Funding of this kind will help to widen participation and increase applications onto relevant degree courses, which feed the semiconductor talent pipeline. Interventions such as this are vital, if we are to raise awareness of STEM careers, highlight the opportunities in the UK chip design and manufacturing sector, and inspire the next generation of engineers to help shape the future.”
“I think this trip will help me significantly in my career. It has helped me to appreciate the semiconductor industry from a more holistic perspective, understanding aspects which I have been less exposed to from my university education.” Samuel Kennedy, University of Southampton, UKESF Scholar of the Year
In March, ten of our fantastic UKESF Scholars travelled to Taiwan, accompanied by UKESF Trustee Dr Derek Boyd, where they were given unique insight into semiconductor education and the industry in Taiwan.
The fortnight trip was funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and delivered in partnership with SEMI Taiwan. It comprised a packed agenda of in-depth workshops, industry visits and university education.
The Scholars, who are all final year undergraduates at UK universities, also had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with Taiwanese students from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, fostering meaningful international connections and strengthening cross-cultural understanding.
The visit enabled the students to:
Our report shares more details about the programme and the valuable insights gained by the UKESF Scholars on the trip -> Read the report
We are incredibly proud to partner with DSIT and SEMI Taiwan to be able to offer this unforgettable experience to our UKESF Scholars.
“Semiconductors is a truly global industry, and Taiwan is such an important player. This visit, which we hope will be the start of a wider international programme, has provided the Scholars with an amazing opportunity to see this first-hand.” UKESF CEO Stewart Edmondson
The UKESF Scholarship is designed to equip the next generation of Electronics and Semiconductor Engineers with the skills to thrive upon graduation, through meaningful work experiences and wrap around skills development opportunities. To find out more, visit ukesf.org/scholarships.
This visit to Taiwan follows a trip taken last year by Dr Derek Boyd, Dr Joe Smith, Lecturer in Quantum Technologies, University of Sheffield, and Owain Isaac, Swansea University Student & UKESF Scholar.
We’re delighted to announce that our exciting Primary Electronics programme – Build a Bot – will continue throughout the summer term!
Pupils can design, code, make and test their very own Bot using a micro:bit, a servo and some paper. Build a Bot is designed to give primary students a fun, hands-on experience of Electronics that builds their confidence, teamworking, curiosity and problem solving skills.
All the resources needed to complete the project will be provided by the UKESF; and teachers and their pupils will be able to join a live 30-minute online session for a fun and interactive introduction to the project.
This is an interactive way to engage 9-11 year olds with simple Electronics principles in the classroom, alongside developing an understanding of how Electronics relates to their everyday lives.
This activity is free to UK state primary schools.
Register for one of our upcoming sessions below:
The information packs aim to showcase the sector to 15-18 year olds through detailing the impact of their local semiconductor industry and highlighting ways in which they can study for, and work in, rewarding, highly skilled local engineering roles.
The five packs cover:
Each information pack explores the sector’s local strengths, capabilities, networks, and opportunities, alongside inspiring engineers’ stories and practical guidance for students to explore pathways into Electronics and semiconductor careers.
If you’re a teacher, or you know a young person with a passion for STEM, please do share these resources with them.
This initiative is part of the UKESF Semiconductor: Skills, Talent and Education Programme. The UK is investing in skills support to underpin the long-term success of the UK semiconductor sector. The purpose is to provide more opportunities for young people to pursue rewarding, high-value careers in STEM, and support UK leadership in critical and emerging technologies. Find out more information about Semiconductor Skills in Schools here.
BrightSparks celebrates some of the most talented young Electronics Engineers in the UK, and we’re delighted that several UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) Scholars are among those recognised this year.
We would like to share our heartfelt congratulations to:
Jadesola Adelekan, Renesas Electronics / Loughborough University
Harry Hill, Ensilica / Imperial College London
Osian Jones, Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult / Swansea University
Samuel Kennedy, ARM / University of Southampton
David Miall, R-P-R / University of York
The Scholars received their Awards at the Electronics Weekly BrightSparks Awards 2025, held alongside the prestigious Elektra Awards on Tuesday 9 December at the Hilton Bankside, London.
Each of these Scholars has already made a real impact, whether through innovative projects, industry placements or outreach work inspiring the next generation.
These winners join a growing community of UKESF Scholars that have received recognition beyond their Scholarship. In total, 38 UKESF Scholars have now been awarded BrightSparks, a powerful reflection of the UKESF’s role in developing skilled, motivated engineers for the UK Electronics sector.
Find out more about BrightSparks and view all the winners here.