A spokesperson for EngineeringUK says despite a rise in students sitting exams in computing there is a worrying decline in the uptake of other STEM subjects, particularly Design & Technology (D&T), important for young people considering a career in engineering.
Becca Gooch, head of research at EngineeringUK says: “EngineeringUK is a charity that wants to see more young people from all backgrounds progressing into engineering and technology and today’s results provide some encouraging signs. Entries to Computing are up by 5.8% (compared to overall growth in entries of 4.8%). This is driven by an increase of 10.3% in the number of girls taking the subject. On the flip side, while entries to Design & Technology have increased, at 2%, this represents a smaller increase than overall entries and is part of a longer-term decline in uptake of the subject. Entries have more than halved since 2016 – from 185,279 to 88,607 in 2024.
“We know that students are motivated by opportunities for practical science but these opportunities have almost halved since 2016. D&T provides students with contextualised, hands-on learning opportunities and is an important subject for future STEM careers.
“There’s more to be done to ensure more students from all backgrounds take Computing, D&T and other STEM subjects at the greater levels required if the UK’s need for a skilled workforce to meet net zero targets is to be met.”
EngineeringUK is a not-for-profit organisation that drives change so more young people choose engineering and technology careers. Its mission is to enable more young people from all backgrounds to be inspired, informed and progress into engineering and technology.