Run by Enginuity, the not-for-profit dedicated to finding new ways to close UK engineering and manufacturing skills gaps, this annual ceremony celebrates the brightest and best in UK engineering and manufacturing talent and the organisations championing skills development to ensure a bright future for these sectors, which are the backbone of the UK economy.
Enginuity Skills Awards 2023 nominees:
Large Employer Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Rolls-Royce:
Celebrates the commitment, innovative thinking, and superior skills contributed by an apprentice to the workplace of a large organisation.
- Hollie Keenan, Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice, BAE Systems
Contributed towards developing solutions to benefit her employer, including improving safety, prolonging product life cycles and reducing costs. - Kaylee Mcisaac, Plant Maintenance Electrical Engineer Apprentice at BAE Systems
A STEMS ambassador, consistently engaging in activities to inspire and mentor future apprentices. - Ben Love, Control/Technical Support Engineer (Level 6 Degree Apprentice) at Siemens Digital Industries
Demonstrated a strong commitment to the advancement of the industry, developing innovative solutions to complex problems.
Graduate or Degree Apprentice, sponsored by University College Birmingham:
Recognises an individual whose route to a degree or a degree apprenticeship is truly inspirational.
- James Millington, Engineer – Electric Powertrain at Bentley Motors Ltd.
Supported the development and launch of Bentley products, travelling around Europe to ensure products function to the highest quality and improving the company’s sustainability. - Jacob Sheldon, Thermal Paint Engineer at Rolls-Royce Plc.
Implemented processes to reduce manufacturing timescales and increase efficiencies, while pioneering the digital transformation of the engineering industry. - Alexia Williams, Deployed Lifecycle Engineer at Rolls-Royce Plc.
Demonstrated commitment to improving the safety and quality of engines, including leading a pioneering project which allows military operators to utilise planes for longer periods of time to provide aid in warzones.
Skills Innovation, sponsored by QinetiQ:
An individual, team or organisation taking an innovative approach to addressing the skills requirements in our industry.
- Atkins Skills Trawler (Dr Chris Mundell, Technical Director at Atkins & Martin Gurr, Senior Digital Consultant at Atkins)
Identifying the right employees for a project from a global pool of engineers, significantly enhancing the organisation’s ability to upskill staff, optimise resource allocation and deliver efficient results. - Virtual Reality for Signal Maintenance Engineers (Mr and Mrs P Martin, Director, PM Training and Assessing Ltd)
Using virtual reality technology to provide practical, hands-on training for Signal Maintenance Engineers, which also taps into the emotions of the job. - SempaiGuide Digital Lean Toolkit (Russell Watkins, Co-Founder, Sempai)
Tackling the UK’s manufacturing productivity problem through a digital toolkit which upskills team leaders through a “do” as they “learn” approach.
Skills Champion, sponsored by EAL:
An individual who commits their heart and soul to training and developing others.
- Emma Crichton, Head of Engineering at Engineering Without Borders UK
A passionate and inspiring leader who has devoted her career to developing the skills of thousands of engineers in globally responsible engineering. - Neil Burrows, Assistant Principal – Apprenticeships, Employer Engagement and Adult Skills at Burnley College
A champion of advanced manufacturing and engineering, responsible for building strong industry partnerships and positioning Burnley College as a skills leader. - Ruth Devine, Managing Director at SJD Electrical
An influential voice across the sector, working selflessly to drive tangible gains in skills and raising the safety of electrical installations throughout the UK.
Diversity and Inclusion, sponsored by Baxi:
This award will go to an organisation, individual or team making a meaningful contribution to improving diversity and inclusion.
- Siemens plc
Demonstrated a commitment to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace through an evidence-based approach to measuring progress. - Ayo Sokale, Chartered Civil Engineer & Former Councillor & Deputy Mayor
A role model for women, young Black people and neurodivergent people, raising awareness about diversity and inclusion in engineering and STEM. - BAE Systems plc
Embedding diversity and inclusion within business systems and processes, embodying the belief that diversity and inclusion drives innovation and accelerates performance.
SME Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by BAE Systems:
Celebrates the commitment, innovative thinking, and superior skills contributed by an apprentice to the workplace of a small to medium-sized organisation.
- Oliver Eskriett, Toolroom Lead at Brandauer
Involved in the innovative conception of the UK’s first and a direct response to a major shortage in toolmakers. - Jack Wisher, Apprentice Welder at Saint Anns Sheet Metal Company Limited
Demonstrated talent and skills which have gone on to become the expected standard for other staff at the business. - Anisha Roberts, Apprentice Technician, Williams Jet Tenders
Committed to improving the company’s environmental sustainability, demonstrated through her pioneering work on a project to reuse waste fibreglass.
Investment in Skills - Lifelong Learning, sponsored by Lloyd’s Register:
Organisations that are committed to investing in the skills development of their existing workforce.
- Upskilling for the Automotive Sector – Automotive Council Skills Working Group
Leading a collaborative and innovative approach towards upskilling the automotive workforce to meet sector and government commitments to Net Zero. - Legal and General Modular Homes
Offering a purpose-built, accredited training facility for people with varying levels of experience to develop their first discipline within the industry. - West Midlands Combined Authority
Implemented a flexible approach to creating skills training offers which are strategically aligned to regional economic needs.
Today’s Engineering Visionary, sponsored by Innovate UK:
Recognises an individual working to make a difference today that will have an impact for generations to come; someone delivering engineering triumphs for our digital, environmentally aware age. As well as taking home an award, they will earn their place in Enginuity’s Engineering Hall of Fame.
- Ben Green, Chief Engineer at ITM Power
Leading on work which will enable the progress towards the provision of green energy and the reduction in global carbon emissions. - Dan Hart, President and CEO at Virgin Orbit
Playing a critical role in making space “open for everyone” through breakthroughs in satellite programmes and setting new standards of responsiveness in launch operations. - Piyal Samara-Ratna, Principal Engineer for the Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, Earth Observation, Research (METEOR) centre, University of Leicester - Space Park Leicester
Demonstrating leadership on accelerating spacecraft development through work on numerous projects, including deep space exploration and space nuclear pow
Apprentice Employer of the Year, sponsored by Teesside University:
Creating the right environment for apprentices to thrive is crucial. This award is open to employers of all sizes who value and nurture apprentices, providing skills development that makes a difference.
- Babcock
Actively promoting the growth and engagement of apprentices through tailored training and development opportunities to address skills gaps and increase productivity. - Airbus Operations Ltd
Embedding apprentices’ skills, behaviours and mindsets as key components of the company. - BAE Systems plc
Integrating apprenticeships as a fundamental part of the company’s DNA and workforce planning.
This year’s event takes place on 29th June, at the Park Plaza London Riverbank, and will be attended by leaders from the UK’s engineering and manufacturing industries.
The Best of British Engineering Award will also be decided on the evening of the ceremony, from the individual winners of the other categories.
Other Supporting Partners who will have a presence at the Enginuity Skills Awards 2023 include Siemens, MX Reality and The Equal Group.
“At Enginuity, we seek to inspire and engage young people with the careers available in engineering and manufacturing, help the current workforce upskill to seize new opportunities, and connect industry leaders and policymakers so these UK sectors lead the digital and green economy globally,” says Ann Watson, Chief Executive of Enginuity.
