Blueprint calls for 40% female participation in engineering and technology education by 2040

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EngineeringUK and the Gender Pathways collective are calling on the government to take action to boost female participation in engineering and technology education, aiming for at least 40% of young people on relevant educational paths to be girls and young women by 2040.

The 40 by 40: Gender equity in engineering and technology education blueprint sheds light on the ongoing barriers that keep girls from diving into STEM subjects and technical qualifications. Right now, only 26% of young people on engineering and technology education pathways in England are female by age 18, and women make up just 17% of the UK engineering and technology workforce.

Released in September 2026, the report urges the Department for Education to enhance STEM teaching, bolster careers guidance and work experience opportunities, and promote gender equity throughout schools and colleges.

These recommendations come at a time when there’s a growing demand for engineering skills, with an estimated 240,000 new entrants needed in the UK engineering and technology workforce each year until 2030.

EngineeringUK believes that if women made up half of all new entrants, they could collectively earn around £1 billion more annually than they would in other fields.

Dr. Hilary Leevers, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, stated:

“It’s time to stop just talking and start making those policy changes happen.”

Dr. Laura Norton, Director of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), also stressed the importance of coordinated efforts across government departments to tackle gender disparities in education and employment.

The Gender Pathways collective is urging policymakers to implement ongoing measures that enhance access to engineering careers, address skills shortages, and create more opportunities for the next generation of female engineers and technologists.

For more details, check out EngineeringUK’s 40 by 40 initiative.