World Youth Skills Day: Supporting the next engineers of tomorrow

World Youth Skills Day on 15 July 2026 is an opportunity to recognise the importance of skills, opportunity and support in building the next generation of engineers. However, it is also a moment to reflect on the role that we play as engineers in supporting underrepresented young people to help them overcome tough barriers and realise their full potential.

That is why the Future Talent Awards exist. While engineering talent is found in every community, access to opportunity is not always equal or visible. By providing practical support at the most critical stages of an aspiring engineer’s career, these awards help address this imbalance and enable more young people to continue their engineering journey.

So, what do the Future Talent Awards involve?

By providing practical support at the most critical stages of an aspiring engineer’s career, these awards help address this imbalance and enable more young people to continue their engineering journey.

So, what does the Future Talent Awards involve?

Through the Launch and Boost scholarships, recipients can receive up to £1,500 a year, free IET Student membership and access to a supportive professional community. But beyond the financial help, it is also about building the confidence, connection and reminding future engineers that they belong in the profession.

The awards reflect a shared commitment to developing lifelong skills, widening participation and investing in the long-term.

Through the eyes of our past scholars

Safiyya Ahmed, a 2024 Launch Scholarship winner, described the scholarship as far more than financial support. Through attending an event at Savoy Place, she connected with like-minded scholars, members and alumni, gaining valuable advice and inspiration from their journeys. For Safiyya, the message was simple but powerful: do not give up. 

She shared that this experience is what helped strengthened her confidence and reinforced her ambition to continue learning and developing as an engineer. Her story continues to resonate as a reminder of why these awards matter.

Leonardo Coppi, a 2024 Boost Scholar and an MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering student at University of Bristol, offers another perspective on the programme’s impact. Selected through the process, Leonardo described “feeling surprised” but proud when he received the award. Beyond recognition, he saw the scholarship as an opportunity to reflect on his own journey and to inspire others who may be considering similar paths in engineering. 

Both stories highlight how these awards helped create momentum and open doors to new opportunities.

With connections across industry, academia, volunteering and local communities, we often encounter emerging talent before they see themselves as future engineers. By sharing information, offering encouragement or signposting someone to apply, we can make a real difference in their journey.

World Youth Skills Day is a reminder that championing skills, opportunity and inclusion for the next generation helps ensure engineering continues to thrive for years to come.

There is still time to apply for the Future Talent Awards 2026. The deadline for submitting an application is 11 September 2026.