Lighting the Way: Building the UK’s photonics skills and talent pipeline

Photonics—the science and technology of light—is quietly powering much of the UK’s innovation landscape. From next-generation communication networks and laser-based manufacturing to artificial intelligence (AI) hardware and healthcare imaging, photonics technologies are at the heart of emerging high-value industries. The UK photonics sector now contributes more than £18.5 billion annually to the economy and employs around 84,800 people, making it comparable in scale to the aerospace and automotive sectors.

Yet, despite this success, the industry faces a persistent challenge: a shortage of skilled workers. As photonics applications expand into AI, quantum technologies, and data infrastructure, the demand for talent has outpaced the supply. Addressing this gap requires a strategic, multi-layered approach that spans education, training, and collaboration across academia and industry.

From a student’s perspective, the photonics revolution is not only a technological story; it’s also about people. Ensuring that the UK develops and sustains the right talent pipeline will determine whether it can lead in the global photonics race.

Inspiring and Educating the Next Generation

One of the main barriers to growing the UK photonics workforce is awareness. Many young people, and even their teachers are unaware of what photonics is, let alone the career paths it offers. Photonics rarely features in mainstream STEM education, and as a result, talented students often end up in adjacent fields like computer science or mechanical engineering without realising how relevant their skills could be to optics and photonics.

The UK Photonics Leadership Group has emphasized the need to integrate photonics into secondary and post-16 education. Schools could benefit from updated career guidance materials and teacher training that explain how photonics connects to areas like renewable energy, robotics, and space technology. The more relatable the field becomes, the more likely students are to see it as a viable and exciting career path.

Hands-on experiences are equally powerful. Outreach initiatives such as lab demonstrations, photonics roadshows, and interactive workshops will help students see the direct impact of light-based technologies in their daily lives. Industry-backed initiatives like these can be scaled nationally to ensure consistent exposure.

However, the real opportunity lies within undergraduate education. Currently, only a handful of UK universities offer dedicated photonics courses. For example, the University of Southampton is one of the few that runs an undergraduate program explicitly focused on Physics with Photonics. Expanding photonics modules across physics, electrical engineering, and computer science degrees would make a significant difference. Even short elective courses or interdisciplinary projects could help build foundational knowledge in optics, laser systems, and photonic design.

Closing the Training Gap

Beyond early education, a second challenge emerges: the mismatch between what students learn and what employers need. Industry leaders have repeatedly noted a skills gap in applied photonics. Graduates may understand theory but often lack practical experience in optical assembly, alignment, or system integration.

This gap can be bridged by fostering closer collaboration between universities and companies. For example, embedding industrial projects into academic programs allows students to work on real-world problems while learning cutting-edge methods. The Institute of Physics has long championed such initiatives through its internship programs, which connect physics students to industrial placements. A more widespread adoption of this model across photonics departments could accelerate the transition from academic learning to industry readiness.

The UK can also take inspiration from its Digital Catapult and High Value Manufacturing Catapult programs, which provide short, intensive bootcamps to upskill engineers. A dedicated “Photonics Bootcamp” could help recent graduates, technicians, and professionals gain focused training in areas like fiber optics, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and optical sensors.

At the vocational level, new apprenticeships focused on photonics are emerging, but more visibility and funding are needed. Apprenticeships can provide a direct route for young people who prefer hands-on learning, creating a pipeline of skilled technicians essential for both startups and established firms.

Building Interdisciplinary Skills

Photonics rarely exists in isolation. It intersects with electronics, materials science, software engineering, and AI. As new fields like quantum photonics and AI-driven optical computing emerge, the need for interdisciplinary talent has never been greater.

Universities and research institutions can help by designing cross-disciplinary courses that merge photonics with data science, programming, and electronic design. Students trained in these hybrid areas can work on the frontiers of innovation like building faster chips, developing smarter imaging systems, and improving data transmission through optical technologies.

Moreover, as industries become increasingly data-driven, photonics professionals will need to understand analytics, automation, and software integration. Encouraging photonics students to gain at least basic coding literacy through Python, MATLAB, or AI-focused tools will prepare them for the digital layer that underpins modern photonics systems.

Leadership and entrepreneurship are also key. Technical expertise alone is not enough to drive innovation to market. Initiatives such as the Future Photonics Leaders Forum and enterprise-oriented MSc projects are helping students and researchers gain exposure to business strategy, product design, and innovation management. Embedding these elements into photonics education can ensure that graduates are equipped not just to invent technologies but to commercialize them effectively.

Strengthening Collaboration and Policy Support

The UK’s success in photonics will depend on the strength of collaboration between academia, industry, and government. Establishing more joint research centres, industrial PhD programs, and public-private partnerships will be vital to building a coherent ecosystem for talent development.

For instance, co-locating company R&D labs within universities allows for two-way knowledge exchange students gain exposure to real industry projects, while businesses benefit from academic expertise. Government initiatives, meanwhile, can incentivize such collaboration through funding schemes, innovation grants, and tax relief for training programs.

Policy makers also have a role to play in addressing systemic barriers. Simplifying visa processes for international specialists, supporting re-skilling programs for mid-career engineers, and ensuring photonics is represented in national skills strategies would all contribute to a more sustainable workforce.

Towards a Sustainable Talent Ecosystem

Photonics is an enabling technology for nearly every sector driving the UK’s future growth from advanced manufacturing and AI to space, defence, and climate technology. But to realize this potential, the nation must invest in people as much as in hardware and infrastructure.

A sustainable photonics talent ecosystem will require:

From the viewpoint of a student, it’s encouraging to see growing momentum around these ideas. The UK is already a global leader in photonics research; the next step is to become a leader in photonics talent development. By nurturing curiosity, supporting lifelong learning, and connecting education with innovation, the UK can ensure that its photonics revolution is powered by the brightest minds of today and tomorrow.

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Technology and Innovation programme activities

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