UKESF - UK Electronics Skills Foundation

01/09/2026

We are excited to announce the UKESF Award for Inspirational Electronics Educators, sponsored by Synopsys is now open for applications!

For the second year running, the Award will recognise teachers who have:
🔹 Made a positive contribution to Electronics education
🔹 Shown creativity in inspiring the next generation of engineers

🏆 The Award Winner will receive:
✅ £500 personal reward
✅ £1,000 grant to support Electronics education in their school
✅ An invitation to the TechWorks Awards & Gala Dinner, London in December (travel & accommodation included)

📢 Applications are now open! The short form asks you to share:
🔹 How you have positively impacted your students over the last 12 months
🔹 How you would use the £1,000 grant to further Electronics education in your school

🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday 7 October at midday

👉 Start your application here: https://www.ukesf.org/what-we-do/the-ukesf-award-for-inspirational-electronics-educators/

This Award highlights the vital role teachers play in shaping young minds and inspiring future Electronics Engineers.

A huge thank you to Synopsys for supporting this Award.

Research consistently shows that a passionate, knowledgeable educator is one of the most influential factors in a young person’s decision to pursue STEM subjects.

27/08/2026

It’s been a fantastic week at our Professional Development Course 2026! 🎓

This year we welcomed 60 Scholars from 22 universities, supported by 36 organisations from across the Electronics and semiconductor sector.

It was a packed agenda across four days, which included insightful sessions from the UKESF and expert guest speakers. A big thank you to Stewart Edmondson, Mahdieh Ghoddusi, Ben Dowman, Neil Beattie, Debbie Hertz, Rupert Baines, Jeremy Smith, Phil Cordey, Kasper Buckbee and Leon Brindley.

Our Scholars also enjoyed our formal dinner - a chance to get to know one another and celebrate their Scholarships ✨

The course continues to be an incredible opportunity for our Scholars to develop both technical and non-technical skills, build confidence, and establish professional networks that will last well beyond university.

Interested in getting involved in the UKESF Scholarship Scheme? Find out more about how employers can support the next generation of engineering talent here: https://www.ukesf.org/scholarship-scheme/scholarship-scheme-employers/

18/08/2026

✨Girls into Electronics 2026

We’re incredibly proud to share the impact of Girls into Electronics 2026, and our new video capturing some of the energy, excitement and inspiration from this year’s programme. 🎥

This year, we welcomed 586 girls from 133 schools to spend a day at 15 leading universities, taking part in hands-on Electronics activities and discovering where a future in Electronics could take them.

And the results speak for themselves:
🔹 99% of participants said the event helped them better understand what Electronics is and how it is used in the real world.
🔹 94% rated their Girls into Electronics experience as Good or Excellent.
🔹 20 girls were selected for the Apple Mentor Programme.

A huge thank you to Apple, our partner universities, and all the volunteers and engineers who gave their time, expertise and enthusiasm to make the programme possible. And a big thank you to the incredible students who came ready to learn, explore, experiment and ask big questions. 💡

Read the full Girls into Electronics 2026 report here: https://www.ukesf.org/girls-into-electronics-2026-news/

Register your interest in the 2027 events here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/UKElectronicsSkillsFoundation1/RegisterYourInterestGirlsIntoElectronics2027

13/08/2026

We're excited to be attending TechWorks Semiconductors to Systems Summit 2026!

The Summit will bring together a community of industry leaders, engineers, researchers, innovators, investors, and policymakers from across the semiconductor-to-systems value chain.

With four dedicated conference tracks, it is a great opportunity to learn more about the semiconductor sector and hear from industry experts.

Visit our stand to find out more about our programmes, from Primary Electronics to the UKESF Scholarship, and learn how you can get involved!

Primary Electronics: https://www.ukesf.org/what-we-do/primary-electronics-employers/

UKESF Scholarship: https://www.ukesf.org/scholarship-scheme/scholarship-scheme-employers/

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

29/07/2026

👩‍🏫 Are you a Physics, Computer Science or D&T teacher looking for more support with teaching Electronics?

Join our free online teacher sessions throughout 2026-2027 and build your confidence using Arduino Grove Kits, Music Mixers, and Logic Boards.

These friendly 30-minute sessions will help you:
⚡ Discover practical classroom activities
🎯 Get more from your equipment
❓ Ask questions and share ideas with our team

📅Upcoming sessions (16:00 -16:30):

22 September - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ukesf/2132582

6 October - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ukesf/2145374

13 October - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ukesf/2145393

20 October - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ukesf/2145398

Whether you're just getting started or looking for fresh ideas, these sessions are a great way to boost your confidence and inspire your students.

Book your free place today!

14/07/2026

Today is our final Girls into Electronics event of 2026, taking place at Imperial College London 🎉

We've welcomed a record number of girls to this year's events, with more than 550 students attending 15 events at universities across the UK. From live demos and university tours to talks from inspiring Apple engineers, these events are helping to shape future careers.

Thank you to all our volunteers, university hosts, Apple engineers, teachers, and students who attended. ✨

24/06/2026

📢 Calling any Year 12 students - Attend UCL’s Chip Design Summer School!

The Chip Design Summer School is a free, hands-on programme for Year 12 students, delivered by UCL’s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering in collaboration with the UK Semiconductor Centre.

Students will engage with UCL academics, industry experts and people working across the semiconductor sector, gaining knowledge and skills to support future study and career choices.

📅 Dates: 13–22 July 2026
🕘 Time: 09:30–17:00 each day
📍Location: UCL Bloomsbury Campus

Apply by 6pm on 26 June
Apply here:

Discover how chips are designed and built at this free summer school for Year 12 students, delivered by UCL EEE and the UK Semiconductor Centre.

23/06/2026

We're at Verification and Semiconductor Futures 2026 today! 🎓

It is a fantastic opportunity for our graduating UKESF Scholars to learn from industry professionals, connect with peers, and explore the latest developments in the sector.

Hosted alongside the main conference programme, we're excited to hear from:
Ashish Naik, MBA, Amazon Web Services
Ben Dowman, Leadership Consultant
Graduated Scholars: Thomas Dell & Oisin Robinson
Neil Hooper, Former CTO
Stewart Edmondson, UKESF
Neil Dickins, IC Resources
Jeremy Smith, Mathys & Squire

Our UKESF Scholars have the chance to -
🔬 Participate in interactive sessions on topical issues and professional development
🌐 Connect with fellow UKESF Scholars, students, and recent graduates
📢 Network with representatives from across the electronics and semiconductor industry

We hope all students attending are enjoying their day!

11/06/2026

🌟 Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers! 🌟

Today marks the first of our 'Girls into Electronics' events, taking place at the University of Strathclyde.

We're excited to welcome students for a day of hands-on activities, industry insights and opportunities to explore the many pathways into Electronics and engineering.
A huge thank you to Apple for sponsoring the Girls into Electronics programme, and to everyone involved in delivering and participating in these fantastic events!

📢 There are still a limited number of places available at upcoming Girls into Electronics events taking place throughout June and July. Register your place here: https://www.ukesf.org/what-we-do/girls-into-electronics/

03/06/2026

We’re delighted to announce that the Semiconductor Talent Award 2026 is open for applications! 📢

400 Awards will be available to students starting a degree in Autumn 2026 at a UKESF Partner University, studying Electronics (or a related subject), Computer Science, Materials Science or Physics.

The initiative has been extended and expanded, to provide £4,000 scholarships alongside a comprehensive package of support that includes:

🏢 In-person events and regional industry engagement opportunities
💻 Industry insight and professional development webinars
🤝 An experienced industry mentor

The deadline to apply is 22:00 on 30 June 2026.

Find out more and apply on the UKESF website ->> https://www.ukesf.org/semiconductor-talent-award/