Enspiring Futures: Developing an alternative provision for engineering skills
Enginuity is launching a new initiative to support young people who are at risk of becoming NEET by helping to establish new fabrication and welding training facilities across England.
Express your interest
What is Enspiring Futures?
Up to £80,000 total funding for welding and fabrication
Through Enspiring Futures, we have a total pot of £80,000 to fund organisations to set up accessible, practical training spaces that give young people a strong first step towards a career in welding and fabrication.
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to create or enhance a dedicated welding and fabrication training facility that can deliver accredited learning and support at least 72 learners over three years.
Who the programme is for
The young people this funding is designed to support
This award is designed to support organisations working with young people who are at risk of becoming NEET, including:
- alternative provision learners
- young people aged 14 to 16
- NEET learners aged 16 to 24.
It also supports organisations seeking to expand or create new technical training opportunities for these groups.
Who can apply
The types of organisations we’re looking for
This award is designed to support a variety of organisations to establish new fabrication and welding training facilities across England, including:
- Alternative provision schools
- Schools with technical or vocational pathways
- Independent training providers
- NEET support organisations
- Charities and community-based training organisations
- Employers or industry-led centres with suitable facilities.
We invite proposals across the following regions of England: North West, Yorkshire & the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, and South East.
What the funding supports
The award can be used to help establish a new training capability, including:
- equipment and workshop fit-out
- adapting or securing suitable facilities
- preparing delivery for an EAL Level 2 Diploma (or similar) in practical engineering, or equivalent modular learning
- trainer readiness and curriculum preparation.
The aim is to give young people who cannot access mainstream routes a high-quality pathway towards welding and fabrication.
Benefits of Enspiring Futures
£80,000 funding
Secure grant funding of up to £80,000 to establish or significantly enhance fabrication and welding training provision, removing the upfront cost of investment.
Upgraded facilities
Create or upgrade dedicated workshops with industry-relevant equipment and fit-out, providing safe, practical spaces for hands-on engineering learning.
Accredited training
Deliver recognised qualifications, such as an EAL Level 2 Diploma or equivalent modular learning, giving learners a clear and credible pathway forward.
Support young people
Reach young people aged 14–24 who are at risk of becoming NEET, including those in alternative provision, through accessible and engaging technical training.
Address skills gaps
Respond to local and regional demand for fabrication and welding skills, helping to build a future-ready engineering workforce.
Lasting impact
Support at least 72 learners over three years, enabling progression into further training, apprenticeships or employment.
How to get involved
Register your interest to apply
If your organisation is interested in applying, please complete our short expression of interest form. This will register your interest and give you access to more information, including the pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ), and details of our upcoming bidder webinar.
Once you receive the PQQ, we encourage you to submit it as soon as possible. The earlier we receive your PQQ, the sooner you will be able to access the full request for proposal (RFP) and have time to prepare a strong bid.
Key dates
To help you plan your participation in the Enspiring Futures programme, please take note of the following key dates:
- Expression of Interest opens: 12 January 2026
- Bidder webinar: 4 February 2026
- PQQ deadline: 6 February 2026
- Full RFP submission deadline: 23 February 2026.
Make sure to complete each stage on time to secure access to all programme information and maximise your chances of submitting a strong proposal.
Express your interest
Open doors, inspire futures
Please complete the short form below to register your interest in the Enspiring Futures award.
