Skilled STEM Students Vital For UK’s Future
05/06/2026
Opinion piece first featured in the Yorkshire Post
The UK’s future competitiveness depends on its ability to grow and retain talent in science, technology, engineering and maths. Yet the reality is that too few young people are choosing these paths, and too many emploers are struggling to find the skills they need.
Recent industry insights underline the scale of the challenge. Engineering and sustainability skills are now seen as critical bottlenecks, with more than three-quarters on engineering employers reporting difficulties by 2025.
At the same time, large parts of the workforce are approaching retirement, particularly in sectors such as aerospace and defence, where a sizeable proportion of engineers and technicians are expected to leave their profession in the next decade. This is not a distant risk. It is a present and growing gap.
As a specialist engineering business working at forefront of radio frequency technology and advanced systems and operating in a landscape where knowledge-intensive skills are the foundation of innovation, we see this first-hand.
As UK manufacturing continues to evolve towards high-value, highly-specialised niches, the demand for these capabilities will only increase.
That’s why engaging with students is not a ‘nice to have’, it’s essential for building a sustainable business, and it shouldn’t be left to bigger businesses.
Slipstream is a team of 26, with 13 of those hired over the last three years in ‘earn and learn’ positions. This is something every business can do to raise awareness of the career possibilities within STEM and help develop our industry’s talent pipeline.
For many young people, engineering can feel abstract or inaccessible, so bringing it to life is crucial. Early exposure matters. Offering work experience placements to students from GCSE through to university level needs to become the norm for every engineering business. Working closely with universities is one way of bridging that gap. Through our relationship with the University of Leeds, we share real-world applications of students’ studies.
When students are visiting our site, they are not just observing. They are interacting with engineers, exploring live demonstrations, and seeing how their academic knowledge translates into tangible impact.
Equally important is ensuring opportunities are open to everyone. Engineering remains a male-dominated field, and the gender pay gap in STEM persists.
We support initiatives that promote access and representation, including mentoring young women and non-binary students and participating in programmes designed to broaden participation.
Recognising and rewarding talent is important, too. Through our sponsorship of the Slipstream Design Award for Outstanding Achievement in Computer Science at Leeds Beckett University, we are investing directly in the next generation and celebrating excellence right where it emerges.
The UK does not lack ambition or innovation. It lacks a sufficiently strong pipeline of skilled people to sustain both. If engineering businesses want to secure their future, they must play an active role in building that pipeline.
