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UKESF Impact Report 2025-26

The UKESF Impact Report 2025-26 showcases the impact of its programmes building the UK electronics skills pipeline: a record number of Scholarship Scheme applications, 307 Semiconductor Talent Awards, over 580 girls attending Girls into Electronics events and 196 primary school classes supported.

Report snapshot
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About

The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF, Charity No. 1124291) connects the most capable Electronics students with industry, running scholarship, school outreach and skills programmes to grow the UK semiconductor talent pipeline.

Key Metrics

Talent Awards made 307 students awarded a Semiconductor Talent Award, enabling unique access to industry insights and skills development opportunities
Girls into Electronics More than 580 girls attended Girls into Electronics events at 15 universities nationwide
Primary classes reached 196 primary school classes supported through the Primary Electronics programme
Scholarship applications A record number of applications for the UKESF Scholarship Scheme in 2025-26

Key Outcomes

  • A record year for the UKESF Scholarship Scheme, connecting more Electronics undergraduates with industry employers.
  • Over 580 girls attended Girls into Electronics events, helping inspire the next generation of Electronics talent.
  • 196 primary school classes supported through Primary Electronics, and the UK Government funded STEP programme delivered as an early step in building a robust skills pipeline.

Geography

UK-Wide

Impact Snapshot
568,000
babies reached by Bookstart Baby in 2025/26 (93% of all babies born)
Over 1.1 million
children and families engaged with Bookstart programmes in 2025/26
80%
of parents and carers receiving Bookstart Baby say they now read or share books and stories more with their child
445,600 children aged 1-4 reached through Bookstart Toddler and Pre-schooler, including 37% of all 1-4-year-olds living in low-income households
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
440,000+ young people aged 4-18 active members across 7,000 Groups
Key Metric 2
140,000 volunteers supporting the movement across the UK
Key Metric 3
373 Sections opened or re-energised in England between April 2024 and March 2025
0.3% overall growth in young people (ages 4-18), driven by 31% increase in Squirrel Scouts (5,200 young people)
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
55,000 foster carers and 370 fostering service providers as members across the UK
Key Metric 2
45 new Fostering Friendly Employers recruited, bringing the scheme to over 680,000 employees across the UK
Key Metric 3
95 Fostering Wellbeing Pioneers in Wales offering peer support and mentoring to fellow foster carers
191 children and young people engaged in outdoor adventure weeks through the Fostering Attainment and Achievement programme in Northern Ireland
Impact Snapshot
Young people sailing
1,224 young people sailed in 2025/26 out of 1,889 individuals reached, an 11% increase, delivering 4,716 nights at sea.
Bursary support
85% of the young people who sailed received financial bursary support; 77% had never sailed before and 21% identify as belonging to the Global...
Qualifications earned
776 nationally recognised qualifications earned, including 630 RYA Start Yachting and 126 RYA Competent Crew awards.
Young people unlocked their potential through ocean voyages, with 204 recommended to return as volunteers, a direct pathway into blue economy careers, and 12 competing in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race.