The
Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) held its biggest finals day yet for the
Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge 2025. Organised by MTA, this year’s event has grown larger than ever, featuring over 20 finalists presenting their innovative projects to an esteemed panel of nine judges.
This year’s
TDI Challenge was, once again, hosted at
Yamazaki Mazak at ‘state of the art’ European headquarters in Worcester. Mazak, a major manufacturing company in the sector, provided participants with an exclusive tour of their factory and European Technology Centre, showcasing UK based manufacturing and opportunities in the sector to the next generation of engineers.
The
TDI Challenge 2025 is generously sponsored by the
Gene Haas Foundation,
Vision West Nottinghamshire College, and
Imagineering, who are all leaders in our industry. Andrew Ward, representing the Gene Haas Foundation and serving as one of the judges, said: “This is our second full year sponsoring the
TDI Challenge and we are absolutely delighted this year to have so many competitors, and congratulations to the winners.
The
TDI Challenge is an opportunity to help young people to develop their engineering skills, design skills and technology skills. On behalf of the Gene Haas foundation, we very much look forward to participating in future events.”
Unwavering supportJames Selka, CEO of the MTA, expressed his enthusiasm for the event’s growth and impact. He said: “The
TDI Challenge is not only growing, it is thriving! I extend my heartfelt thanks to the MTA Team and our sponsors for their unwavering support. This event exemplifies how the industry can come together to shape the future of the manufacturing sector. Despite the rapid growth of the UK industry, there is a concerning decline in the number of young engineers. They are our future and having some of the biggest names in the industry judge their projects is an honour for both MTA and the students.”
The
TDI Challenge 2025 was open to students aged 14-19, providing a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and innovation. Participants were invited to submit a design for a new product or concept and a 2min video demonstrating its application and benefits. Finalists were chosen from the video entries submitted by the end of May 2025 and from two live regional events held at UTC Derby Pride Park and Silverstone UTC. The finalists were invited to present their ideas in detail at the finals event, where the winners were announced.
The MTA’s education and skills manager, Danny Reed, said: “I am thrilled to see so many students, teachers and parents from all over the UK engaged in the challenge and supporting the manufacturing and technology sector. This year’s competition showcased the biggest number of entries we have ever seen and it is encouraging to see so many young engineers excited by our ever-growing sector.
“The
TDI Challenge not only showcases student creativity but also emphasises the vital role of collaboration between industry and education in tackling future challenges and opportunities. This year’s event welcomes back former winners from 2023 and 2024, now serving as judges, who will share their inspiring experiences and the influence the challenge has had on their career paths.”
Indigo Wernick, from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern, a former
TDI Challenge winner from 2024 returned to join the judging panel for this year’s competition, said: “Being able to judge a competition that means the world to me as a previous winner was such an incredible experience. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners, it is brilliant to witness such talent and innovation amongst our generation.”