Seven Surrey students claim UK Electronic Skills Foundation Semiconductor Talent Award
Each award holder receives a £4,000 bursary, one-to-one mentoring and exclusive industry development opportunities, helping them build successful careers in the UK’s growing semiconductor sector.
The 2025/2026 Semiconductor Talent Award cohort in Birmingham, September 2025.
Taking the first STEP: Building a future talent pipeline for the Semiconductor sector
The Semiconductor Talent Award is part of the Semiconductor: Skills, Talent and Education Programme (STEP), a Government funded initiative to equip more young people with the skills to thrive in the UK’s Semiconductor industry. The award aims to encourage students to focus on semiconductors from the outset of their studies, and is part of an overall pathway from schools’ engagement through to careers in the semiconductor industry.
University of Surrey 2025/2026 Semiconductor Talent Award holders
We were delighted to welcome the following students to Surrey in September 2025:
- Alex Bufton - BEng Electronic Engineering with Artificial Intelligence
- Asher Prasanth - BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year
- Ayo Oladimeji - BEng Computer and Internet Engineering with Foundation Year
- Jacob Tolfrey - BEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Jay Taylor - MEng Electronic Engineering with Artificial Intelligence
- Mannat Chauhan - BEng Computer Science
- Shiam Rahman - BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Following the completion of their first year at Surrey, award holders can apply for a UKESF Scholarship, which offers opportunities for paid work experience, ongoing bursaries and industry networking.
Successful Induction Events across the UK
The Semiconductor Talent Award is supporting over 300 undergraduates embarking on an Electronics degree at over 30 UK universities in 2025/26. In September 2025, award holders attended one of five induction events, held in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Glasgow and online. These events were designed to inspire the next generation of Electronics Engineers by sharing valuable insights into the semiconductor landscape and highlighting rewarding careers.
Award holders attend five induction events across the UK
Semiconductor Talent Award winners at the Birmingham induction event, September 2025.
Semiconductor Talent Award winners at the Birmingham induction event, September 2025.
University of Surrey students in one of our Electrical and Electronic Engineering undergraduate labs.
The University of Surrey's Dr. Tim Brown leading an Electrical and Electronic Engineering workshop.
The induction events featured:
- Speakers from industry, academia, and government shared their insights. Speakers included representatives from Arm, the Department Science, Innovation and Technology, Cadence, CSA Catapult and Siemens.
- Thirty companies exhibited, providing students with first-hand exposure to career opportunities in semiconductors.
- Participants had the opportunity to meet others embarking on a career in the semiconductor industry and begin to build a supportive network.
Award recipients praised the induction events for their energy, insight and the chance to engage directly with industry leaders:
“The event motivated me to think about how I can progress further and thrive in my journey into electronics.”
“It was a great opportunity to meet fellow award holders and connect with the companies available.”
“It was amazing to meet with prominent companies in the industry.”
About UKESF
The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is an educational charity established in 2010. In the UK, Electronics, especially semiconductor design and manufacture, is a growing and strategically important sector of our economy. However, demand for capable graduates far outstrips supply.The UKESF works to tackle this national skills shortage, undertakes outreach and engagement to ensure that more schoolchildren are aware of Electronics and the opportunities available.
By supporting these undergraduates, the UKESF is helping to strengthen the UK’s Electronics and semiconductor talent pipeline, ensuring innovation, growth, and global competitiveness.
Find out more at Surrey's School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering.
