First launched in 2018, This is Engineering is a multi-year campaign led by the Royal Academy of Engineering in partnership with EngineeringUK and major engineering organisations to encourage more young people, from all backgrounds, to consider engineering careers.
About the campaign
This is Engineering aims to help increase the number and diversity of future engineers, by repositioning engineering careers to young people (aged 13-18) and their influencers.
The campaign shows young people what engineering really looks like, how it could be an exciting and rewarding career, and how to get there.
At the heart of This is Engineering are a series of short videos, each profiling a young engineer who is doing something remarkable, and a website, providing young people with advice and guidance so they can find an early career engineer and educational route that works for them.
We are grateful to the partners and Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering whose support and collaboration have made the This is Engineering campaign possible.
Why it matters
The UK needs more engineers. In the UK we have tens of thousands fewer engineers than we need, and a significant diversity shortfall. In 2025, only 16.9% of the engineering workforce were women, with only 14% BAME; a major barrier to its ability to serve all parts of society.
Young people’s misperceptions of engineering are preventing them from embracing a career that can shape the world around us and play a critical role in addressing global challenges.
Engineers create things that help improve lives of others. They shape the world around us and play a crucial tole in addressing global challenges for a better future.
Delivering real impact
This is Engineering has made an impact. The campaign has delivered a step-change in the appeal and uptake of engineering. Through long-term partnership, creative storytelling, and cross-sector collaboration, we have:
- Created over 100 publicly available inspiring films featuring 52 real engineers (with 77 million views and 323 impressions)
- Generated over 10 million downloads of images in our free public image library
- Developed a new website showing all routes into engineering, real engineers, the jobs they do and projects they work on (with 761,000 website visits)
- Crafted real-life and engaging social media content
- Created community of 18 engineering micro-influencers actively sharing real experiences
- Launched National Engineering Day in 2018 to broaden public awareness
- Produced 32 schools resources featuring real life engineers
Which has resulted in a measurable change in consideration and uptake of engineering:
- 78% of teenagers took action after seeing the campaign.
- 69% would now consider an engineering career; a 77% increase since the outset of the campaign, representing and estimated 1.6 million young people.
- A consistent rise in girls’ interest in engineering at GCSE and A-level.
- Among students who had chosen engineering and had seen the campaign before making their choice, half said they were influenced by the campaign.
- Increased uptake of engineering courses: UCAS applications are up 14% and acceptances for engineering and technology up 12.5%.
Our activities and resources
Our Champions Community
Since 2023 we have been building engineering Champions Community. The Champions are early career engineers who create content on social media which lifts the lid on what it’s like to be an engineer. They create content discussing/showing how they got there, what they do in their job, and provide tips and advice for young people getting into engineering.
Our free social media masterclass runs annually. Find out if you're eligible and apply here.
See our Champions Community on Instagram.
This is Engineering free photo library
Our engineering image library was launched in November 2019 to provide web editors, journalists and social media users with a diverse bank of free photography showcasing real engineers in a wide variety of roles. Over 1,000 photos have been donated to the library that has been downloaded 10 million times, helping to challenge the stereotypical views of engineering found in online image searches.
Engineering Heroes film series
Engineering Heroes is a film series celebrating engineering and technology trailblazers and advocates, uncovering the inspiring stories behind their success and the challenges they overcame. Featuring a Nobel Prize winner, the first British astronaut, the first African American female CEO of a Fortune 500 company and more, the films showcase the stories of global engineering pioneers. The series is made in collaboration with Amazon and BecomingX.
Museum of Engineering Innovation
Our virtual Museum of Engineering Innovation was launched in November 2020 to celebrate feats of engineering. From the engineering behind West End shows, to the future of bioplastics, engineering shapes the world around us in surprising ways.
Free resources
This is Engineering also reaches young people through classrooms, supporting the curriculum with inspiring case studies and hands on activities. The This is Engineering resources explore the essential role that engineers play in our lives.
In total, over 20,000 resource packs have been distributed. Visit our programmes for schools page.
This is Engineering website is a resource designed to inspire future engineers and help young people discover pathways into the industry. It offers guidance on the steps needed to become an engineer, alongside tips, real-life stories from engineers, and the chance to explore real-world projects and the wide range of careers available.
Where next?
Visit the This is Engineering website which features profiles of many engineers from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Partners
This is Engineering has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering and our corporate and university partners.
Principal University Partner
- Heriot-Watt University
Major University Partners
- University of Bath
- University of Southampton
University Partners
- King's College London
- University of Edinburgh
University of Strathclyde