Ipsum partners with Primary Engineer to inspire the next generation

Ipsum is proud to announce a new partnership with Primary Engineer, a UK-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring young people through engineering. 

For more than 20 years, Primary Engineer has been transforming the way children engage with learning. Founded in 2005 by Susan Scurlock MBE, the organisation was built on a simple but powerful belief: when young people are encouraged to be curious, creative and hands-on, they are more likely to reach their full potential. Through its innovative approach, often described as “STEM by Stealth”, pupils develop skills in science, technology, engineering and maths through practical, project-based learning. By designing, building and solving real-world problems, they build confidence, resilience and a deeper understanding of how engineering shapes the world around them. 

As part of this partnership, Ipsum will support Primary Engineer’s flagship competition, “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” – a nationwide initiative that invites pupils aged 3–19 to identify challenges in the world around them and create innovative engineering solutions. The programme continues to grow year on year, with more than 70,000 pupils taking part in the most recent academic year, demonstratingits scale and impact across the UK. 

Ipsum has already begun engaging with the programme, with our Managing Director for Water & Infrastructure, Mark Kaney, recently joining a judging panel to review and celebrate pupils’ ideas. His involvement highlights the important role industry can play in supporting education and inspiring future talent. 

This partnership reflects Ipsum’s commitment to delivering positive social value through our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. By working with Primary Engineer, we are supporting education and skills development within local communities, helping to raise awareness of careers in engineering, creating meaningful connections between industry and the classroom, and playing our part in helping to bridge the skills gap across the sector through our continued investment in early careers and development programmes. This includes our graduate and apprentice schemes, our dedicated SES Training Centre, and a wide range of learning and development opportunities, from on-the-job training to structured technical development frameworks that support progression at every stage of a career. 

By investing in initiatives like this, we aim to contribute to stronger, more resilient communities while helping to inspire the next generation of engineers, and we look forward to seeing the positive outcomes and innovations this partnership will bring. As a Platinum member of The 5% Club – one of fewer than 10% of members to achieve this status – we are committed to investing in skills, apprenticeships and early careers opportunities, and this partnership is a natural extension of our ambition to help build a future-ready, skilled workforce.