Babcock’s Festival of Engineering Inspires Scotland’s Future Talent

More than 300 school pupils have attended Babcock’s annual Festival of Engineering at the company’s Rosyth site, as the organisation continues to expand support and engagement initiatives aimed at helping address the rising demand for engineering skills across the UK.

Fresh from being named Scottish Engineering Company of the Year, coupled with one of Babcock’s STEM ambassadors receiving the Modern Apprentice of the Year award at the 2026 Scottish Engineering Awards, the two-day event was designed to inspire the next generation of skilled employees through hands-on activities, transforming the Rosyth site into a hub of interactive science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) challenges.

Pupils moved through a series of engineering zones, tackling challenges including ship buoyancy, bridge building, robotics, communications and immersive virtual-reality experiences linked to modern defence and advanced manufacturing.

The Festival of Engineering forms part of Babcock’s national programme of STEM events, aimed at breaking down barriers to careers in engineering and technology across the UK. Scotland plays a critical role in sectors such as defence and advanced manufacturing, which rely on a strong pipeline of future engineering talent.

The impact of events such as the Festival of Engineering is already being seen at Rosyth, with a number of apprentices joining Babcock after first engaging with the company through school visits, careers events or site tours while at college. These early experiences help young people understand what STEM-based careers involve and the opportunities available. This year, Babcock recruited 100 apprentices at Rosyth, building on a similar number joining the site in each of the past three years.

Delivered with the support of apprentices and graduates, the event was hosted in partnership with customers, further education establishments and industry partners, showcasing the breadth of engineering careers.

It is estimated that one in four job adverts in the UK relate to engineering, underscoring sector demand, with engineering and technology jobs predicted to grow faster than other industries across the UK to 2030.

Donna Sinnick, Chief Delivery Officer, said:

“Scotland’s communities and economy depend on having the right skills in place for the future. By hosting events like the Festival of Engineering at Rosyth, we’re investing directly in local young people and giving them the opportunity to see where engineering can take them.

“These hands-on experiences help break down barriers, challenge preconceptions and show that STEM based subjects like engineering are exciting, accessible and rewarding and can make a real difference to communities across Scotland.”

Lt Ollie Oglethorpe, regional engagement officer, Royal Navy, said:

“Events like Babcock’s Festival of Engineering show young people that STEM is far more than classroom theory – it’s creativity, teamwork and real problem-solving. The Royal Navy is supporting the day with hands-on activities including a turbine blade building challenge, giving pupils a taste of how engineers turn ideas into something that can operate safely at sea. Inspiration like this helps build the skills Scotland’s future workforce will need.”

The Festival of Engineering forms part of Babcock’s long-term commitment to developing a diverse, inclusive and sustainable skills pipeline, ensuring engineering careers are open to people from all backgrounds.