Enginuity has launched a new funding programme designed to strengthen the future supply of welding and fabrication skills by supporting practical training routes for young people excluded from mainstream education.
The Enspiring Futures initiative will offer grants of up to £80,000 to organisations establishing or enhancing welding and fabrication training facilities, helping to address persistent skills shortages while widening access to engineering careers.
Investing in welding and fabrication as future skills
Welding and fabrication remain essential capabilities across manufacturing, construction, energy and infrastructure, yet employers continue to report difficulties in recruiting skilled entrants. Enspiring Futures aims to tackle this challenge by investing in realistic, industry-aligned training environments that give learners a strong first step into the sector.
Funded facilities will be expected to support at least 72 learners over three years, delivering recognised qualifications such as an EAL Level 2 Diploma or equivalent, and equipping learners with the practical skills and confidence required for progression into employment or further training.
Funding can be used for workshop fit-out and specialist equipment, adapting facilities, trainer readiness, and preparation for the delivery of accredited or modular learning. The focus is on hands-on training that reflects real-world welding and fabrication practice.
Creating access for learners outside mainstream education
The programme is targeted at young people most at risk of missing out on technical careers, including:
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Alternative provision learners aged 14–16
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NEET learners aged 16–24
By providing earlier exposure to welding and fabrication in accessible settings, the programme aims to unlock untapped talent and reduce the number of young people disengaged from education, employment or training.
Expanding local training capacity
Enginuity is inviting proposals from a wide range of organisations across England, including alternative provision schools, schools with technical or vocational pathways, independent training providers, NEET support organisations, charities, community-based training organisations, and employers or industry-led centres with suitable workshop facilities.
Priority regions include the North West, Yorkshire & the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, and the South East, although applications from other areas may also be considered.
By increasing the number of local facilities delivering welding and fabrication training, Enspiring Futures aims to strengthen regional skills pipelines and improve employer access to future talent.
Supporting a resilient, future-ready workforce
Nicola Dolan, Associate Director of Charity Impact & Operations at Enginuity, said the programme was designed to address both skills shortages and social exclusion.
“Enspiring Futures is a practical response to the welding and fabrication skills gap facing engineering and manufacturing,” she said. “By funding organisations to deliver hands-on training, we are opening doors for young people who are outside mainstream education while strengthening the sector’s future talent pipeline.
“The programme supports young people to gain skills, confidence and ambition, while helping reduce the number of 16–24-year-olds who become NEET.”
Enginuity works with employers, educators and policymakers to improve long-term skills planning across UK engineering and manufacturing. The charity says Enspiring Futures directly supports its mission to ensure the sector has the right skills at the right time.
Key dates for organisations
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Expression of Interest opens: 12 January 2026
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Bidder webinar: 4 February 2026
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PQQ deadline: 6 February 2026
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Full RFP submission deadline: 23 February 2026
How to apply
Organisations interested in delivering welding and fabrication training through the programme must first complete a short expression of interest form to access the pre-qualification questionnaire and full application materials.
Further information is available at enginuity.org/enspiring-futures.
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