Lifting Futures: Bringing the lifting industry to the classroom

To secure the future of the lifting industry, we must start with the next generation. LEEA’s STEM Education Pilot Programme was created to do just that – introducing school students to the real-world impact of lifting and engineering through hands-on learning. In partnership with Tablet Academy, this pilot brought industry concepts into classrooms, sparking curiosity, building vital skills, and showcasing meaningful career opportunities.

As our industry faces growing skills gaps and an ageing workforce, early engagement has never been more important. This pilot marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to education, awareness, and workforce sustainability – one student, one classroom, and one lift at a time

The pilot programme included:

  • Eight 2.5-hour interactive workshops delivered to more than 250 students across four schools, where students:

    • Designed, built, and operated lifting equipment using Sphero Blueprint kits – developing practical skills in physics, engineering, teamwork, communication, problem solving, and more.

    • Explored how lifting operations contribute to global safety and efficiency, connecting classroom learning to real-world industry practice.

A Hands-On STEM Programme for Schools

In June 2025, LEEA commissioned its inaugural STEM education pilot programme - designed to spark curiosity, develop skills, and open eyes to exciting career opportunities in lifting and engineering.

Developed with specialist STEM educators and engineers at Tablet Academy, this practical and interactive programme brings real-world lifting and engineering concepts into the classroom.

Thanks to our partner, TA Education (Tablet Academy), for developing the LEEA STEM Pilot Programme.

Key impact from the pilot

of students said that they knew more about the lifting industry as a result of the workshop.

of students said they might or would now consider a career in the lifting industry.

of students enjoyed the workshop, with their favourite parts being building the cranes and the elements that went into it (e.g. the mechanisms), working as a team with their classmates, and testing their crane design on the competition mat.

The most frequently used skills during the workshop were:

  • Engineering (69%)

  • Communication (68%)

  • Problem-solving (65%)

  • Teamwork (84%)

  • Design (75%)

  • Creativity (71%)

Evaluation and recommendations from the pilot have provided valuable insights, laying the foundation for future expansion of the programme and deeper partnerships with LEEA members and schools.

  • My favourite part was working as a team and persevering so that at the end we made a successful, working crane that was ready to use and have fun with.

  • I enjoyed putting the crane together because you could be creative.

  • I most enjoyed making the lifting mechanism because it made me think about everything we are learning.

Why it works

LEEA’s Hidden Industry survey shows that the skills the lifting industry needs most are often those young people can start developing through STEM education:

  • 79% of firms struggle to recruit lifting operators with the right skills and behaviours.

  • 62% report applicants lack problem-solving and analytical skills.

  • 50% say their current staff lack problem-solving and engineering thinking.

  • 40% anticipate a need for greater digital and technology skills in the coming year.

  • 67% identify gaps in knowledge of regulations and safe practice.

The LEEA STEM Programme helps students build:

  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking

  • Engineering and design skills

  • Teamwork and communication

  • Creative thinking

  • Technology confidence

By engaging students early and showing the real-world value of these skills in lifting, we can help build a more capable, better-prepared future workforce.

Now we need your help

The LEEA STEM Pilot Programme has shown that targeted STEM engagement works – students leave with a greater understanding of our industry, increased interest in lifting careers, and new skills that our future workforce will need.

But this is just the beginning.

With the pilot complete and the impact clear, we’re now looking to scale this programme and bring it to more young people - and we need the support of LEEA members and industry partners to make that happen.

If you're passionate about helping to shape the next generation of talent for the lifting industry, register your interest to find out how you can get involved.