About NFEC
The national voice for engineering education.
NFEC connects schools, colleges, universities, employers, awarding organisations and government to raise standards in engineering education, inspire the next generation of engineers and close the UK's engineering skills gap.
A relaunch
Built for what the sector needs now.
The National Forum of Engineering Centres has brought engineering educators together for years. The relaunched NFEC keeps what members valued, a collegial network focused on good practice, and builds a great deal more on top of it.
Our 2027–2030 strategy turns NFEC from a forum into a national engineering education movement: one that raises standards, provides shared teaching resources, runs national competitions, connects industry with education and gives the sector a credible voice in government.
Read the strategyOur vision
Where we are heading.
“To become the UK's recognised engineering education advisory board, connecting schools, colleges, industry and government to raise standards, inspire learners and address engineering skills shortages.”
Where NFEC was
- Membership organisation
- Networking forum
- Occasional events
- Resource sharing
Where NFEC is going
- National engineering education authority
- Trusted voice to government
- Curriculum innovator
- Employer engagement hub
- Teacher development network
- Student competition organiser
- Industry talent pipeline coordinator
Who we bring together
The whole engineering education pipeline.
- Schools
- FE colleges
- UTCs
- Post-16 providers
- Universities
- Awarding organisations
- Employers
- Government
Governance
How NFEC is led.
Alongside a professional board and twelve regional networks, four standing groups give every part of the sector a seat at the table.
National Advisory Board
Senior figures from education, industry, professional bodies and government, setting NFEC's direction.
Employer Advisory Board
Engineering employers telling the sector, directly, what skills they need and where the gaps are.
Educator Senior Leader Roundtable
Principals and senior leaders shaping NFEC's position on policy, funding and qualifications.
Engineering Teacher Council
The people who teach engineering every day, keeping NFEC grounded in the classroom and workshop.
Leadership
Gary Jefferson
Chair Designate · Deputy Principal, East Coast College
Gary began his career on the shop floor. After his GCSEs he joined a Norfolk manufacturing engineering company as an apprentice, studying engineering at college alongside his work and achieving distinctions throughout. He progressed into production engineering and design for manufacture, and went on to become general manager of a company making power steering equipment.
Meet our peopleOur work
Seven strategic pillars.
National Voice & Policy Influence
The organisation government consults on engineering education.
ExplorePillar 2:Teacher Excellence Network
Exchanges, live expert lessons and shared standardisation for the people who teach.
ExplorePillar 3:Curriculum & Resource Hub
Nationally coordinated teaching materials, from primary classroom to college workshop.
ExplorePillar 4:Industry Partnership Programme
Industry's gateway into engineering education.
ExplorePillar 5:NFEC Events Portfolio
A full annual calendar, from monthly masterclasses to a national summit.
ExplorePillar 6:Formula 1 Education Strategy
Motorsport as the hook that takes learners from school to college to career.
ExplorePillar 7:NFEC Electric City Car Cup
Engineering through competition: students build, test and race small electric vehicles.
Explore