Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2026

When is Tomorrow’s Engineers Week?

The confirmed 2026 dates are Monday 9 to Friday 13 November. EngineeringUK’s current campaign information gives the 2026 theme as Shape our future. It focuses on the contribution engineering and technology can make to challenges young people care about.

See EngineeringUK’s official campaign page for school resources and ways to support the week. An exact date for a 2027 edition has not been verified, and the 2026 theme should not be assumed to continue.

Date and official information

Dates and the 2026 theme were checked against EngineeringUK’s campaign page and its 16 October toolkit announcement on 23 October 2026. Activity ideas here are editorial suggestions. Use the organiser’s latest information for resources and future editions.

Activity ideas for schools

These suggested activities can sit alongside the organiser’s current school resources:

• Explore a familiar object. Choose something learners use, such as a bicycle, water bottle or classroom light. Ask what problems its designers had to consider and which questions pupils would ask an engineer.
• Try a design discussion. Give groups a simple fictional brief, such as improving a bus shelter. Ask them to identify users, constraints and questions before proposing a solution.
• Prepare a career interview. Let pupils help choose questions about working life, training routes and useful skills. Include time to discuss an answer that surprised them.
• Make a next-step card. Ask learners to record one role they want to investigate, one question they still have and one reliable source they can use.

Keep practical tasks appropriate to the age group and available supervision. Include different ways to contribute, such as speaking, writing, drawing or organising ideas. A short reflection can help connect an enjoyable task with the careers questions behind it.

What happens during the week?

The campaign brings together schools and the engineering and technology community. EngineeringUK describes activities including assemblies and question-and-answer sessions with engineers, and says its school programmes are free to register. The aim is to help young people explore the people, jobs and possible pathways within the sector.

A useful session makes a job easier to picture. Ask a speaker to describe an ordinary task, the tools or information they use and the people they work with. Give learners time to ask how they could explore an interest further.

How employers and engineers can support it

EngineeringUK’s 2026 supporter toolkit announcement links to campaign materials and guidance for sharing a career story. Use current official assets when communicating about the week.

For a school visit, agree the audience, timing and learning aim with the teacher. Explain unfamiliar terms and use a specific example from your work. Describe your own route honestly, while directing questions about current qualifications and vacancies to the appropriate providers. Leave space for learners whose interests or backgrounds differ from your own.

Plan a useful follow-up

Before the session, decide where learners will find resources afterwards. Share relevant links with the careers lead and make clear who can answer remaining questions. After the week, invite feedback on what helped learners understand a role and what they would like to explore next.

Related dates include British Science Week, National Careers Week and International Women in Engineering Day.