The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) has launched the 2017 edition of its schools competition for young engineers — the Technology Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge.

This national competition encourages 14- to 19-year-old students to submit their existing coursework projects, which would go towards either their GCSE, A-Level or BTEC qualifications.

The success of previous years’ competitions has been such that the TDI Challenge 2017 is being expanded to allow group entries.

Laura Pickering, the MTA’s education and development co-ordinator, said: “Groups of three to six students will now be able to submit their projects in either the 14- to 16-year-old or 17- to 19-year-old category, as we feel the TDI Challenge is a great opportunity to encourage collaboration.”

Submissions for 2017 are now open; entries must be received by 12 May. An expert judging panel made up of the MTA’s education and development committee will choose 12 individual project finalists and eight group finalists, who will be notified by Friday 9 June.

The final will be held at the European headquarters of MTA member Yamakazi Mazak in Worcester on Wednesday 5 July.

The winner in each category will receive a prize as well as a £1,000 voucher for their school to spend on design and technology equipment for the classroom.

MTA CEO James Selka said: “In the 13 years that we have been running the TDI Challenge, we have seen some incredibly diverse and inspirational projects.

“The MTA recognises the importance of allowing students to realise their potential from an early age, and it wishes to support schools and colleges in encouraging the wide range of skills that can be used for a career in engineering.”

Full details of the TDI Challenge can be found at the Web site (www.mta.org.uk/tdi).