Employers, apprentices, educators and training providers are being invited to enter the Enginuity Skills Awards 2027, recognising outstanding achievements in engineering and manufacturing skills development.
Nominations have opened for the Enginuity Skills Awards 2027, which will recognise individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to skills development across the UK’s engineering and manufacturing industries.
Now in their 13th year, the awards are organised by engineering and manufacturing skills charity Enginuity, in partnership with headline sponsor Babcock.
The awards celebrate employers, apprentices, educators and training providers helping to address skills shortages, develop the next generation of talent and support innovation within the sector.
Entries will remain open until midnight on Sunday 20 December 2026, with winners announced at an awards ceremony in London on Wednesday 30 June 2027.
Recognising Employers Investing in Workforce Skills
The awards recognise the importance of workforce development at a time when engineering and manufacturing employers face growing demand for technical skills and new capabilities.
Categories cover apprenticeships, education, employer-led training initiatives and collaborative programmes designed to improve access to engineering careers.
Both small and large employers are eligible for recognition, with dedicated awards celebrating organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to developing their workforce.
Ann Watson MBE, CEO of Enginuity, said:
“Across engineering and manufacturing, the demand for new capabilities is accelerating. The Enginuity Skills Awards gives us an important opportunity to recognise the people turning that challenge into progress, building confidence, opening pathways into rewarding careers, and equipping businesses for the future. By sharing their achievements, we hope to inspire even more individuals and organisations to invest in the skills our sector needs to thrive.
“Enginuity sincerely thanks all partners for their invaluable support in making the Enginuity Skills Awards 2027 possible. We are proud to recognise our Headline Partner, Babcock, and our Platinum Partners, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, whose continued commitment to developing engineering and manufacturing talent helps drive innovation, inclusion, and excellence across the sector.”
Enginuity Skills Awards 2027 Categories
The awards will recognise achievements across nine categories:
-
Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year
-
Graduate, Degree or Higher-Level Apprentice of the Year
-
T Level Student of the Year
-
Training Provider Skills Champion of the Year
-
SME Employer Skills Champion of the Year
-
Large Employer Skills Champion of the Year
-
New Talent Inspiration Programme of the Year
-
The Enginuity Alliance Collaboration Award
-
Best of British Engineering
Winners of the three apprentice and student categories will each receive £1,000 in prize money, while three additional finalists in each of those categories will receive £500 each.
The Best of British Engineering award will be presented to the category winner judged to have made the strongest overall impression and is not open for direct nominations.
Babcock Highlights Importance of Apprenticeships and Early Careers
Babcock, the awards’ headline partner, has emphasised the importance of investing in apprenticeships, graduate development and STEM education to strengthen the UK’s future workforce.
Jennifer McElhinney, Chief People Officer at Babcock, said:
“Developing the skills that will power the future of UK defence, engineering, and manufacturing is really important to us. Through our investment in apprenticeships, graduate programmes, STEM outreach, and early careers initiatives, Babcock is committed to helping build the skilled, diverse, and resilient workforce the UK needs. We look forward to working with Enginuity to shine a spotlight on the individuals and programmes making a real difference across our sector.”
The awards also receive support from platinum partners BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, both of which are involved in developing engineering talent and supporting skills programmes across the UK.
Recognition for SMEs Developing Engineering Talent
BAE Systems is sponsoring the SME Employer Skills Champion of the Year category, highlighting the contribution smaller businesses make to skills development within the engineering and manufacturing supply chain.
Richard Hamer, HR Director for Education & Skills at BAE Systems, said:
“Most of our largest programmes are underpinned by the people and partners who work alongside us, which is why we’re proud to sponsor the SME Employer Skills Champion of the Year award. We partner with more than 2,000 SMEs across the UK and understand first-hand the invaluable contribution they make to the engineering and manufacturing sector, bringing specialist skills, innovative thinking, and delivery at pace. Some of the best skills development and apprenticeship training is happening within this powerful network and we’re delighted to celebrate those leading the way.”
The category provides an opportunity for smaller employers to demonstrate how they are investing in apprenticeships, employee development and technical training.
Encouraging the Next Generation of Engineers
Rolls-Royce is supporting the New Talent Inspiration Programme of the Year category, which recognises initiatives encouraging people to consider careers in engineering and manufacturing.
Neil Mantle, Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Materials at Rolls-Royce, said:
“Rolls-Royce are thrilled to be sponsoring the Enginuity Skills Awards again in 2027! Developing the next generation of engineering talent is essential to the future of our industry, and these awards are a brilliant way to celebrate the people, programmes and ideas shaping that future. We can’t wait to celebrate the incredible talent and achievements across engineering!”
The award reflects the growing emphasis on attracting new entrants into technical careers and developing pathways from education into employment.
Awards Ceremony to Take Place in London
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to attend the Enginuity Skills Awards ceremony at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London on Wednesday 30 June 2027.
The event will bring together representatives from engineering and manufacturing businesses, education providers and government to recognise achievements in workforce development.
Enginuity, formerly the Sector Skills Council, is a charity focused on addressing skills gaps across UK engineering and manufacturing.
Its work includes providing employers with skills intelligence, data and digital tools to help them identify workforce requirements and develop the capabilities needed to remain competitive.
How to Enter the Enginuity Skills Awards 2027
Nominations are open to eligible individuals and organisations across the UK engineering and manufacturing sector.
Employers can nominate apprentices, training programmes and workplace skills initiatives, while education and training providers can put forward individuals and programmes demonstrating excellence in technical education.
The closing date for nominations is midnight on Sunday 20 December 2026.
Full category details, eligibility criteria and nomination information are available at:
