Nominations are now open for the Enginuity Skills Awards 2027, in partnership with Babcock, celebrating the individuals and organisations making a difference to engineering and manufacturing skills across the UK.

Now in their 13th year, the Enginuity Skills Awards recognise apprentices, educators, training providers and employers who are championing skills excellence, driving innovation and helping to develop the workforce of the future.

Nominations close at midnight on Sunday 20 December 2026, with the winners announced at the awards ceremony in 2027.

Celebrating skills excellence

The Enginuity Skills Awards recognise achievements across engineering and manufacturing, highlighting the people and organisations helping to develop talent, strengthen skills and create opportunities across the sector.

Shortlisted finalists will be invited to the awards ceremony at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London on Wednesday 30 June 2027. The event will bring together representatives from industry, education and government to celebrate the achievements of those making a difference to skills development.

Award categories

The Enginuity Skills Awards 2027 will recognise excellence 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**

Key dates to keep in mind

• Nominations open on Monday, 12 October 2026
• Nominations close at midnight on Sunday, 20 December 2026
• Finalist announcement in May 2027
• Awards Gala on Wednesday, 30 June 2027

Celebrating sector excellence 

Ann Watson MBE, CEO of Enginuity, commented: “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.”

A word from our partners

Enginuity is proud to deliver the 2027 awards in partnership with Babcock, our Headline Partner, alongside Platinum Partners BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. Their support helps celebrate the people and programmes developing engineering and manufacturing skills across the UK.

Headline Partner: Babcock

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.”

Platinum Partner: BAE Systems

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.”

Platinum Partner: Rolls-Royce

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!”

How to enter

Nominations for the Enginuity Skills Awards 2027 are now open and close at midnight on Sunday 20 December 2026.

Nominate yourself or a skills champion today!

*The winner of these categories will be awarded £1,000 in prize money, with three additional finalists awarded £500 each.

**Best of British Engineering is awarded to the category winner who makes the strongest impression across the awards and is not open for nominations.