FIRST UK Opens 2026–27 Programme to Help Young People Build Skills for the Future

FIRST UK invites secondary schools and youth organisations across the country to participate in the 2026-27 FIRST Tech Challenge, a hands-on robotics programme designed to develop practical STEM, teamwork and essential skills.

FIRST UK is a registered charity that utilises robotics, industry mentors and competition to help young people aged 12 to 18 build skills that bridge the classroom with their future careers. The programme applies what young people learn at school to real-world engineering, technology and problem-solving.

Learning Through Real-World Challenges

The FIRST Tech Challenge allows teams to design, build and code their own robots over the course of two academic terms. They then put their efforts to the test at local competitions, regional tournaments and the UK Championship.

However, the initiative is about more than just developing a robot. Participants also create engineering portfolios, organise community events, share their ideas and collaborate to solve challenges. These experiences build the essential skills – communication, teamwork, creativity and confidence – that employers value alongside technical expertise.

The programme provides approximately 30 hours of STEM enrichment, is mapped to Gatsby Benchmarks 4-7 and complements aspects of the Key Stage 3 and 4 Computer Science, Design and Technology and Engineering curricula. Participants can also pursue acknowledged awards such as the Gold CREST Award and Industrial Cadets Gold.

Helping More Young People Access STEM

FIRST UK's objective is to make STEM more accessible and inclusive. The charity collaborates with schools, youth groups, corporate partners, mentors and volunteers to provide more young people with valuable experience in technology and engineering.

Financial assistance is given to eligible non-fee-paying schools and recognised youth organisations. FIRST UK's bursary scheme helps to lower the cost of participating, while events remain free and qualified teams may also get travel assistance.

This emphasis on accessibility is already having an impact. FIRST UK provided over 100,000 impact hours in 2025. That year, 50% of its participants hailed from underserved households and those taking part were 71% more interested in pursuing a STEM career.

Preparing Young People for What Comes Next

The skills needed in today's professions are always changing due to technological advancements. Robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, engineering and digital technology are becoming more significant in the UK economy.

FIRST UK seeks to provide young people with hands-on experience in these sectors while also introducing them to industry professionals. Its overarching goal is to make STEM less intimidating, more diverse and inclusive while enabling young people to make informed decisions about their futures.

Registration for the 2026–27 FIRST Tech Challenge is now open and will close at the end of September for 2026-27. Schools and organisations interested in forming a team can find out more about the programme, financing opportunities and participation on the FIRST UK website. To learn more about FIRST UK, please visit their website at https://firstuk.org/

About FIRST UK

FIRST UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1178433). Through robotics, industry engagement and competition, the organisation helps young people develop technical and essential skills while connecting education with future career opportunities. FIRST UK forms part of the wider global FIRST community which engages hundreds of thousands of young people around the world.