Britain’s largest electricity distributor has backed a movement by hundreds of organisations to broaden access to engineering and technology careers for future generations.
UK Power Networks has joined over 400 UK organisations committed to EngineeringUK’s ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers Code’, a renewed pledge to increase the number and diversity of young people entering engineering and step up youth outreach.
More power engineering skills will be needed in the years ahead as people’s use of electricity increases, with more electric vehicles and heat pumps being connected to local electricity networks. That means making engineering careers attractive and accessible to young people.
EngineeringUK is galvanising industries across all engineering sectors to collaborate and drive change having found that; women make up 16.9% of the engineering workforce; 14% of the workforce are from UK minority ethnic backgrounds; and 11% of engineering students are disabled, below the 15% average.
Four key pledges of the Tomorrow’s Engineers Code are to inspire young people through real-world, connected STEM experiences, drive inclusion by reaching underrepresented groups, showcase the breadth and significance of engineering careers and improve impact of youth outreach from evaluation and shared learning.
Karen Woodward, corporate relationships manager at EngineeringUK, said: “We’re delighted that UK Power Networks has joined our growing Tomorrow’s Engineers Code community. The organisation is a proactive, longstanding and loyal supporter of our mission to enable more young people from all backgrounds to progress into engineering and tech.
“We are proud that UK Power Networks is also part of our Corporate Membership network and we’re excited they will be joining us for the first time at The Big Bang Fair 2026. The energy industry is a critical sector we are working with, as the UK strives towards achieving net zero. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to drive change and inspire more young people into these exciting future careers.”
UK Power Networks delivers extensive youth outreach programmes including careers talks at schools, work placements, CV and interview skills, career coaching, supported by an army of employee volunteers and runs practical activities like ‘hackathons’ for young people to fire their enthusiasm.
Throughout 2026, UK Power Networks will roll out events that embody ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers Code’ pledges including:
National Apprenticeship Show at Sandown Racecourse (10-11 February), promoting apprenticeship and career opportunities to thousands of students
Mentoring student groups at hackathons in Uxbridge and Merton, guiding them through real-world challenges and helping them design innovative solutions
Inspiring future engineers at EngineeringUK’s The Big Bang Fair (June 9-11), NEC Birmingham, the UK’s biggest STEM event for young people
The firm plans to work with over 3,250 young people this year, giving them a glimpse of the electricity industry. Last year hands-on experiences, together with mock assessment centres and speed networking at local colleges, resulted in over 3,000 meaningful interactions.
Apprentice Callum Grant, 18, from Enfield, is training to be a substation fitter at Borehamwood. He learnt more about UK Power Networks’ apprenticeship programme at a speed networking event at his college. Callum said: “A lot of young people don’t know about opportunities in engineering – I think they would love these jobs, but haven’t heard about them. It’s good that UK Power Networks goes into colleges to increase awareness of these opportunities.”
Kirsty Jones, 32, from Ashford, aims to inspire more women to enter engineering. She recently shared her career path, from cowgirl and zoo ranger to UK Power Networks’ apprentice substation fitter, at Tomorrow’s Engineers Live in London.
Leon Ford, head of technical training and assurance at UK Power Networks, said: “There is so much potential for young people in engineering careers and it’s our job to make sure the next generation don’t miss out through lack of opportunity or outdated perceptions of engineering.
“We need to actively engage with underrepresented groups, show young people careers that inspire them and collaborate with other businesses to increase accessibility to engineering.”
