MK Innovates Returns to Bridge the STEM Skills Gap and Inspire Future Innovators

Milton Keynes is once again set to host one of the region’s most dynamic and inspiring events, the MK Innovates STEM Festival, taking place on 21st and 22nd October 2025 at Middleton Hall.

Founded in 2017 by Women Leaders UK, MK Innovates has grown to become a powerful platform for tackling one of the UK’s most pressing challenges: the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills shortage.

The shortfall in STEM talent currently costs the UK economy an estimated £1.5 billion annually, driven by recruitment difficulties, rising wages, and lost productivity. Significantly, women remain notably underrepresented in these critical industries, making up just 13% of the workforce in STEM roles.

This year’s theme, “Connect to Innovate,” reflects the festival’s mission to harness the power of connection to inspire innovation, close the STEM gap, and ensure every young person - regardless of background, gender or circumstance, has the chance to thrive. By uniting educators, businesses, students, and the wider community, MK Innovates aims to empower more girls and women to explore careers in STEM while providing clear pathways and support for anyone looking to develop their skills or transition into these fields.