A celebration of skills: Enginuity Skills Awards 2026 winners

On Wednesday 1 July, sector leaders from across the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector came together for the annual Enginuity Skills Awards 2026, in partnership with Babcock. The evening celebrated the exceptional individuals and organisations who are empowering the next generation of talent, fostering a culture of innovation, diversity, and collaboration.

The event, which is in its 12th year, was hosted by powerhouse broadcaster and host of BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra, Swarzy Shire, at the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge.

We’re delighted to reveal our inspiring winners. 

Enginuity Skills Awards 2026 winners 

Best of British Engineer and Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Train’d Up 

The Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year Award recognises an apprentice whose commitment to learning and developing skills is making a valued contribution to the workplace, making them an ideal role model to encourage others into engineering and manufacturing careers.

The Best of British Engineering Award sponsored by Enginuity is decided on the evening of the ceremony, from the individual winners of the above categories. This award recognises either individuals who have achieved or demonstrated outstanding commitment to their profession or organisations that are leading in their field and helping to make our world better using engineering or manufacturing advances in technology, innovation, thought leadership or environmental impact. 

Winner: Olivia Lane, Mechatronics Apprentice, Amazon 

Olivia Lane of Amazon is a talented mechatronics apprentice recognised for initiative, resilience and problem-solving. She has delivered operational improvements, strengthened contingency planning and collaborated effectively across teams. Passionate about widening access, she promotes engineering apprenticeships as a rewarding route into industry, especially for women and high-achieving students considering alternatives to university. 

Graduate, Degree or Higher-Level Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Institutes of Technology 

This award recognises the success of a graduate or degree apprentice whose commitment, innovative thinking, and skills are making a valued contribution to the workplace, and is set to make a big difference to the organisation and wider engineering and manufacturing sector.

Winner: Lucy Yelland, Automation Engineer Degree Apprentice, Siemens 

Lucy Yelland of Siemens is an outstanding automation engineer whose degree apprenticeship has combined academic excellence with business impact. She has shown technical ability, leadership and resilience through fault diagnosis, project delivery, mentoring and outreach, while excelling in WorldSkills competition. She is already making a measurable difference and building a promising leadership future. 

T Level Student of the Year sponsored by Eduqas 

This award recognises a student whose success in both education and work placement demonstrates their commitment to learning and developing skills, making them an ideal role model for encouraging others into engineering and manufacturing careers. This award is only open to students studying T Levels in England.

Winner: Calum Borland, T Level Student, BAE Systems 

Calum Borland is an impressive T Level student whose placement has deepened his technical understanding and ambition in engineering. Through independent learning, workplace contribution and thoughtful problem-solving, he has shown maturity and potential in materials and manufacturing. His ability to apply theory to real challenges marks him as a future engineer with clear direction. 

Large Employer Skills Champion of the Year sponsored by The Welding Institute

This award recognises outstanding commitment by a large employer to sustainable business improvement through the implementation of learning and development.

Winner: Babcock Emerging Talent 

Babcock Emerging Talent is a strategic skills programme transforming how talent is developed and retained. By creating multiple entry routes, it addresses workforce gaps while widening access for apprentices, career changers, veterans and returners. The programme has delivered strong recruitment, retention and inclusion results, offering a scalable model for strengthening engineering capability. 

New Talent Inspiration Programme of the Year sponsored by Rolls-Royce

This award recognises a programme that has used innovative or different means to successfully attract new talent into the engineering and manufacturing sector.

Winner: Babcock PSO Programme 

Babcock PSO Programme is a bold initiative creating accessible entry routes into engineering for people from diverse backgrounds. Designed to address urgent workforce needs while widening opportunity, it combines inclusive hiring, targeted training and partner collaboration. The programme has strengthened resilience, opened long-term career pathways and influenced recruitment practice across the sector. 

SME Employer Skills Champion of the Year sponsored by BAE Systems 

This award recognises outstanding commitment by a small or medium employer (SME) to sustainable business improvement through the implementation of learning and development.

Winner: Wright Brothers Industrial Services Limited 

Wright Brothers Industrial Services Limited is a people-focused SME that has embedded skills development at the heart of its growth strategy. Through apprenticeships, upskilling, leadership development and inclusive learning pathways, it has built a resilient workforce. Its success in internal progression, retention and business performance shows a strong long-term commitment to reducing skills gaps. 

The Enginuity Alliance Collaboration Award sponsored by UVAC 

This award recognises powerful alliances and collaborations that address the core challenges in engineering and manufacturing (or problem statements) that guide Enginuity’s work.

Winner: Onehive and Generating Genius  

OneHive and Generating Genius - Scaling STEM Programmes with Tech for Good Collaboration is an innovative partnership using digital infrastructure to widen participation and strengthen pathways into engineering and STEM careers. By combining outreach expertise with technology, it has created a scalable model that improves engagement, mentoring and learner tracking while supporting accessibility, safeguarding and measurable progression. 

Training Provider Skills Champion of the Year sponsored by EAL

This award recognises outstanding commitment to learning and skills development that supports sustainable engineering and manufacturing growth through partnerships between providers and employers.

Winner: Ayrshire College 

Ayrshire College's Supporting the Engineering & Aerospace Skills Pipeline for Ayrshire is a dynamic partnership strengthening one of Scotland’s key industrial regions. Through pre-apprenticeships, expanded apprenticeship provision and specialist upskilling, it has delivered strong growth, employer satisfaction and progression into engineering careers, creating a sustainable model for regional workforce development and future investment.

Celebrating excellence in skills

Ann Watson MBE, CEO of Enginuity, said: “There is hope, there are reasons to shout from the rooftops - these people and organisations are on the frontline trying to save Alan Milburn’s ‘lost generation’. With such energy and so many uplifting stories, who couldn’t be optimistic about the future of engineering and manufacturing? The winners and nominees radiate the drive, ingenuity and aptitude that breathe new life into our industry and economy. We salute them all.” 

Gareth Hedicker, Chief Operating Officer – Marine at Babcock, added: “The Enginuity Skills Awards highlight the very best of the engineering and manufacturing sector, and this year’s winners represent the talent that will drive UK industry forward. At Babcock, we know that investing in skills is critical to meeting future challenges and unlocking opportunity. It’s an honour to support these awards and celebrate those who are building the capabilities our economy depends on. Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding achievements.” 

Comments from our Platinum Partners 

Richard Hamer, HR Director for Education & Skills at BAE Systems, said: “We would like to congratulate all winners on their considerable success! The Enginuity Awards are an important recognition of talent. Celebrating excellence in apprenticeship and graduate training and achievement is essential as we continue to inspire more employers to create training pathways into meaningful careers and employment for people from all backgrounds. 

“At BAE Systems in the UK we support 5,100 apprentices and 1700 graduates and undergraduates in learning, and they are vital to meeting our nation’s defence and security needs.” 

Neil Mantle, Engineering and Quality Director – Procurement & Supply Chain at Rolls-Royce commented: “Rolls-Royce are delighted to have sponsored the Enginuity Skills Awards this year as a Platinum Partner. We send our congratulations to everyone involved, those nominated and the subsequent winners in each category.” 

“It was a privilege to hear so many great stories, each of which provides inspiration and motivation to continue to highlight and support the growth of talent across UK Manufacturing and Engineering in different ways.” 

Enginuity is grateful to all our sponsors for their valued support of the Enginuity Skills Awards 2026: our Headline Sponsor, Babcock; Platinum Partners, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce; Category Partners, Train’d Up, Institutes of Technology, WJEC (Eduqas), EAL, The Welding Institute; our Event Partner, EDT; Silver Partners, Siemens and Burton and South Derbyshire College & Toyota Manufacturing; Bronze Partners, CBM, Ihasco and Sharp IT Services, and our Drinks Reception Partner, The 5% Club. Their support plays a vital role in helping us celebrate and champion excellence across engineering and manufacturing skills.

Explore the event photo gallery