Pic: Radio 1’s Swarzy Shire will be presenting this year’s Enginuity Skills AwardsThe
Enginuity Skills Awards 2026, widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of Skills’, will take place on 1 July at the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge, bringing together leading figures from across UK engineering and manufacturing to recognise excellence in skills development.
Held in partnership with
Babcock and presented by Radio 1’s Swarzy Shire, the event will honour 32 finalists drawn from across the UK, spanning apprentices, employers, training providers and collaborative initiatives. The awards aim to highlight those tackling the sector’s widening skills gap while helping to secure its long-term future.
Enginuity, the sector body focused on addressing workforce challenges, says this year’s cohort reflects both the breadth of talent and the urgency of action required.
Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, said: “These people and organisations are on the frontline trying to save the lost generation referred to by Alan Milburn – as are we. Each and every one deserves to take a bow in the spotlight that we shine upon them. There are reasons to be optimistic when it comes to what the future holds, even if the sector is currently weathering a storm.”
The finalists showcase achievement across key pathways including apprenticeships, T Levels, graduate development, workforce upskilling and industry collaboration. In the Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year category, candidates include Hasiba Nawaz of Balmoral Tanks, recognised for improving design processes and promoting STEM careers among young women, and Olivia Lane of Amazon, who has contributed to operational improvements while championing apprenticeship routes. Megan Ellicott, a pipefitting apprentice at Hinkley Point C, is also shortlisted, noted for her role as the site’s first female apprentice in her discipline and her efforts to challenge stereotypes within the industry.
At degree and higher apprenticeship level, finalists include Leonce Pereira of Safran Landing Systems, who has combined technical innovation with mentoring and outreach, and Lucy Yelland of Siemens, whose work in automation engineering has delivered measurable business improvements. Lauren Bell of BAE Systems and Scott Theobald of Surrey Satellite Technology are also recognised for their contributions in project management and space engineering respectively.
The T Level Student of the Year category highlights emerging talent such as Anas Mahmoodi and Calum Borland, both of whom have demonstrated strong practical and technical ability during industry placements, alongside Euan Moran and Jack Ashton Poulter, whose achievements underline the growing impact of technical education routes.
Employer-focused categories reflect the importance of sustained investment in skills. Large employers including Babcock, BAE Systems, Siemens and Biffa have been shortlisted for programmes that combine recruitment, inclusion and long-term workforce planning. Meanwhile, SMEs such as Staffordshire Precision Engineering and Wright Brothers Industrial Services are recognised for embedding apprenticeships, mentoring and progression into their growth strategies.
Collaboration also features strongly, with initiatives such as the Leeds Manufacturing Festival and STEM Returners demonstrating how partnerships between industry, education and communities can help strengthen talent pipelines. Training providers, including University Centre Somerset College Group and Ayrshire College, have been acknowledged for delivering employer-led programmes that support major infrastructure and regional development projects.
Industry partners have underlined the importance of recognising progress in skills development. Richard Hamer, HR Director for Education and Skills at BAE Systems, said the company’s thousands of apprentices and graduates are critical to national capability. He added that celebrating achievement helps encourage more employers to invest in training pathways and broaden access to careers in engineering.
Neil Mantle, Engineering and Quality Director for Procurement and Supply Chain at Rolls-Royce, highlighted the growing importance of attracting diverse talent, noting that competition for skilled individuals continues to intensify both locally and globally.
Supported by a wide range of partners from across the sector, the awards serve not only to recognise individual and organisational achievement, but also to promote best practice and inspire further action. With a limited number of tickets still available, the event is expected to draw strong interest from across the industry.