Research by EngineeringUK and the Royal Society, published during National Careers Week (3–8 March), has found that young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have a higher interest in technology careers than non-SEND pupils.
The new analysis comes from the Science Education Tracker, a survey of 7,200 young people in years 7–13 of their experiences and attitudes towards STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education and careers.
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The data highlight employment aspirations among students in state schools in England and found almost half (47 per cent) of both SEND and non-SEND students are interested in a future career in engineering. But interestingly, more SEND students favoured a technology and computing career (43 per cent) compared to non-SEND students (37 per cent).
Between now and 2030, engineering and technology jobs are expected to grow faster than other occupations. Engineering jobs are expected to grow by a further 2.8 per cent, adding 173,000 net new jobs. EngineeringUK would like to see more opportunities open up for disabled young people, who are currently underrepresented, making up 14 per cent of the engineering and technology workforce, compared to 18 per cent in other occupations.
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‘The data throws up some positive findings and it’s great to see both SEND and non-SEND students as equally interested in a potential future engineering career,’ said Becca Gooch, head of research at EngineeringUK. ‘It’s also fantastic to see so many SEND students with careers interest in tech, where we need a vast talent pool. We must ensure our future engineering and technology workforce is not only well prepared for future roles but is made aware of opportunities and entry routes in to training and employment. Engineering is such a broad sector offering so many diverse roles and opportunities for young people in the UK.
The data also showed that when it came to interest in a maths career, there was little difference between the two cohorts (SEND students 35 per cent; non-SEND students 37 per cent), but fewer SEND students favoured a future science career (39 per cent) than non-SEND (48 per cent). SEND students were less likely than non-SEND students to engage with science or STEM online via Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and online news or receive advice and guidance about careers from a range of different sources and undertake STEM work experience.
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The 2023 Science Education Tracker published in 2024 followed previous surveys in 2016 and 2019. For the first time, the 2023 survey included questions specifically about engineering.
All SEND schools are included in EngineeringUK’s list of priority schools with which it engages through its STEM programmes and resources to help drive change and improve wider diversity among underrepresented groups in the engineering and technology industry.
The report can be found here.
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