Aerospace Events

Will you be named the Best in British Engineering?

Posted 8 October 2018

The search is on to find the Best of British Engineering in the prestigious Semta Skills Awards - with nominations now open for Semta Skills Awards 2019 - which include new categories to recognise the importance of apprentices to companies both large and small.

Above: Last year's winner of Best of British Engineering, Judith Mair, who works for Rolls-Royce plc in Derby.

Nominations are now open for the eight categories and the successful finalists will join more than 550 guests from across the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London to celebrate the Best of British Engineering on Thursday 21stMarch 2019.

Now in their sixth year, the Semta Skills Awards are firmly established as the leading awards for the sector and nominations are being sought for the following categories:

Apprentice of the Year – SME Employer Award (Sponsored by EAL)
Apprentice of the Year – Large Employer Award (Sponsored by Coca-Cola European Partners)
Graduate or Degree Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by BAE Systems plc)
Skills Champion of the Year Award (Supported by Commercial Education Trust)
Skills Innovation of the Year Award (Sponsored by MBDA UK Limited)
Training Partner of the Year Award (Sponsored by Rolls-Royce plc)
SME Investment in Skills Award (Sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover)
Diversity in Engineering Award (Sponsored by Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group)

An overall ‘Best of British Engineering’ award(sponsored by UFI Charitable Trust) will be given to reward one of the overall winners that have made a special contribution to supporting skills development within the sector.

Companies and individuals are urged to submit their entries in early – the deadline is November 30. Entries will then be judged by a panel of industry experts with the shortlisted finalists going through to the black tie awards ceremony.

Ann Watson, Chief Executive of Semta, the not for profit industry led organisation, leading the battle to skill Britain with sufficient engineers to help industry thrive, said: “We are now more than half way through the Year of Engineering and what better way to celebrate than ensuring the individuals and companies who make the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector great are recognised in our awards.

“We are delighted to have the continued support of our sponsors BAE Systems plc, MBDA UK Limited, Jaguar Land Rover, EAL and Rolls-Royce plc alongside the awards new supporters the Commercial Education Trust and sponsors Coca-Cola European Partners, Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, and the UFI Charitable Trust. They make this celebration possible and this year we have created three distinct categories for apprentices, recognising their growing importance to businesses of all sizes. We will also welcome Degree apprentices alongside graduates for the first time recognising parity of esteem for both routes.

“The awards ceremony is a week before we are due to leave the EU, and this is a timely reminder to everyone of how important this sector will be post-Brexit to the health of our economy.”

Last year 21-year -old Judith Mair, from Portknockie, Buckie (between Aberdeen and Inverness) who works for Rolls-Royce plc in Derby, received a standing ovation when she was named Best of British Engineering having picked up the Apprentice of the Year title earlier in the evening.

Watson added: “Every year the awards uncover some fantastic stories and brilliant role models for the next generation of engineers and Judith has been an outstanding ambassador following her well-deserved victory. We look forward to receiving all the nominations for the 2019 awards and then to find out who the judges decide are the very best individuals and companies in British engineering.”