Strategy 2027–2030
A national engineering education movement.
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.
The challenge
Not just a better forum. The sector’s standards body.
Engineering education in the UK is delivered by thousands of schools, colleges, universities, training providers and employers, often in isolation, and often competing for the same scarce expertise.
The relaunched NFEC exists to change that: to raise standards in engineering education across schools, colleges, universities, employers and awarding organisations, and to become the national voice and standards body for the FE and schools engineering sector.
Strategic positioning
How NFEC is changing.
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
Strategic pillars
Seven pillars.
National Voice & Policy Influence
Become the organisation government consults before and during major engineering education decisions.
Teacher Excellence Network
The heartbeat of NFEC: helping engineering teachers and lecturers learn from each other, from industry and from the best specialists in the country.
Curriculum & Resource Hub
The sector lacks nationally coordinated engineering teaching materials. NFEC will provide them, at every stage of a learner's journey.
Industry Partnership Programme
Make NFEC industry's education gateway: one place for employers to shape the curriculum, reach educators and build their talent pipeline.
NFEC Events Portfolio
Move from occasional conferences to a full annual calendar that keeps the sector learning all year round.
Formula 1 Education Strategy
NFEC's most visible programme: using the pull of motorsport to inspire and stretch learners at every stage.
NFEC Electric City Car Cup
Engineering through competition. Students build, modify, test and race small electric vehicles, with the ambition of becoming engineering education's flagship national competition.
Three-year roadmap
From relaunch to leading the sector.
- 1
Year 1
Stabilise & relaunch
- Professional board established
- Regional network leaders appointed
- Monthly webinars running
- Standardisation programme launched
- Teacher exchange pilots launched
- First annual conference
Focus: Build credibility
- 2
Year 2
Expand & influence
- National resource hub
- Industry sponsorship programme
- Formula 1 programme
- Primary resources launched
- Government consultation submissions
- Regular sector reports
Focus: Become indispensable
- 3
Year 3
Lead the sector
- Recognised advisory board
- National competitions
- City Car Cup national final
- Annual engineering report cited nationally
- Sustainable finances
Focus: Become the voice of engineering education
By 2030
- regional networks, each with twice-yearly conferences
- 12
- regional networks, each with twice-yearly conferences
- teacher and lecturer exchanges a year
- 50+
- teacher and lecturer exchanges a year
- primary schools with an Engineering Discovery Box
- 500
- primary schools with an Engineering Discovery Box
- schools in the Formula 1 programme
- 100
- schools in the Formula 1 programme
The single most important shift
From a membership organisation to a movement.
Within three years, NFEC aims to be the recognised national convenor that schools, colleges, employers and government cannot ignore.
The formula
- Community
- Standards
- Resources
- Competitions
- Government influence
- Industry partnerships