Enginuity Skills Awards 2024 winners announced
Published: 06 June, 2024
Wednesday 5th June saw leaders from across the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector gather at the 10th annual Enginuity Skills Awards, to celebrate the brightest and best in UK engineering and manufacturing talent and the organisations championing skills development to ensure a bright future for this sector, which is the backbone of the UK economy.
Run by Enginuity, the charity dedicated to closing skills gaps in UK engineering and manufacturing, the ceremony was hosted by Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and award-winning broadcaster Steph McGovern at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole next to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) during Smart Manufacturing and Engineering Week.
The ceremony was attended by West Midlands Deputy Lieutenant Professor Sir Nigel Thrift.
Jamie Clarke, a Maintenance Apprentice at LISI Aerospace Rugby, picked up not only the Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year trophy but also the biggest prize of the evening, the Best of British Engineering Award.
ENGUINUITY SKILLS AWARDS 2024 WINNERS
Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by UCAS
This award recognises an apprentice whose dedication to learning and skill development has positively impacted their workplace and who serves as a role model to inspire others towards careers in engineering and manufacturing.
Winner: Jamie Clarke, LISI Aerospace Rugby
Jamie has overcome challenges such as dyslexia and health issues to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer.
Jamie impressed the judges with the contributions he has made to his employer through productivity enhancements, training rig designs, safety improvements, and troubleshooting.
He also promotes skills as a training instructor for engineering at the Sea Cadets unit in Coventry and as a STEM ambassador.
“Engineering is important to me as my grandad was an electrical engineer,” Jamie comments. “It’s hard to put into words what winning this award means to me.”
Graduate, Degree or Higher Level Apprentice of the Year - sponsored by Teesside University
This category is dedicated to apprentices whose commitment, innovative thinking, and skills are making a valued contribution to their workplaces and wider industry.
Winner: Yusuf Mumtaz, Jaguar Land Rover
Yusuf has made a significant contribution to Jaguar Land Rover through his data analysis and engineering skills, which included taking ownership of a sustainability project, the findings of which he presented to over 900 of his colleagues.
Yusuf also promotes apprenticeships in engineering both through Jaguar Land Rover and by creating his own aspiring apprentice network in Birmingham.
“When I started this apprenticeship there was definitely a feeling of imposter syndrome as it was my first professional place of work,” Yusuf says. “Winning this award solidifies that I belong here and that I’m providing value to my employer.”
T Level Student of the Year, sponsored by BAE Systems
This award goes to a student whose commitment to learning and skills development in both education and the workplace makes them an inspiring role model for careers in engineering and manufacturing.
Winner: Elliot Barton, Barnsley College
Elliot impressed the judges with how he is excelling both academically and professionally.
He is driven by a passion for practical skills development and industry relevance, showcasing the value of T Levels in preparing for successful careers.
Elliot also promotes engineering and manufacturing to others and aspires to work in network engineering and cybersecurity consultancy.
“Computing is now present through virtually every moment of our lives which is what inspires me to understand how things work and how they can work with other things,” says Elliot. “Winning this award highlights the hard work and effort that I’ve put into this course and encourages me to develop my skills further.”
The Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award - sponsored by Rolls-Royce
This award celebrates organisations or teams that have made a significant contribution to improving and increasing equality, diversity, and inclusion in engineering and manufacturing.
Winner: Virtual Work Experience Programme, Siemens Digital Industries
This programme addresses underrepresentation by engaging a diverse range of students, including females, those from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, individuals with special educational needs or disabilities, and carers.
Amy Morris, Sustainability Graduate, Siemens Digital Industries comments:
“I think this will contribute to creating a diverse talent pipeline, as it is accessible to students who might not have had an opportunity to engage in work experience with Siemens. It also gives people a realistic taste of what hybrid working environments are like.”
Training Partner Skills Champion of the Year - sponsored by EAL
This category recognises partnerships between providers and employers where a commitment to learning and skills development supports sustainable engineering and manufacturing growth.
Winner: Gloucestershire Engineering Training
In partnership with local SMEs, Gloucestershire Engineering Training has successfully addressed a skills gap in the Forest of Dean by opening a training centre in September 2023.
The centre already has impressive apprentice retention, completion rates, and specialised training delivery. Future plans include expanding the centre’s training offer and community engagement to further close skills gaps in the engineering sector.
Warren Thomas, CEO, Gloucestershire Engineering Training says:
“There hadn’t been anything to support engineering and manufacturing skills in the Forest of Dean in 26 years, so we’ve had to work closely with local employers, especially SMES, who might not have run apprenticeships in a long time.”
“This is a massive recognition of all the effort the wider team has invested to get this centre working in such as short space of time to support local employer needs.”
SME Employer Skills Champion of the Year – sponsored by Innovate UK
This category is focused on engineering or manufacturing SME employers with an outstanding commitment to sustainable business improvement through learning and development.
Winner: Brandauer
The judges were impressed by Brandauer launching the UK's first Precision Tooling Academy to ensure the transfer of essential skills from an aging workforce to a younger generation.
It has invested £1 million to create a commercial toolroom, and reshaped its apprenticeship approach, contributing to business growth and increased turnover.
Brandauer has also contributed to STEM education initiatives like The MAN Group's Design & Make Challenge.
Rowan Croxier, Chief Executive, C Brandauer & Co Ltd, comments:
“Promoting engineering skills is a lifelong challenge that we approach on numerous levels. Being recognised for that is great, but we invest in skills development because it’s part of the DNA of our business.”
Large Employer Skills Champion of the Year – sponsored by FANUC
This award is presented to a large engineering or manufacturing employer with an outstanding commitment to sustainable business improvement through learning and development.
Winner: KMF Precision Sheet Metal Limited
KMF picked up the trophy for its outstanding collaborative efforts, work experience programs and apprenticeship offerings. These have resulted in increased and more diverse recruitment, and plans being put in place for sustainable skills development.
In 2010 KMF set up a Young Engineer of the Year programme working with year 10 students across all the high schools in Stoke-on-Trent. Over the past 14 years this has seen them work with more than 25,000 young people while investing over £1m in STEM projects and equipment for schools.
Jenny Johnston, People & Culture Manager, KMF Group says:
“This award is recognition of what can be achieved with engineering and manufacturing skills in an area of deprivation and the effort that has gone into KMF setting up as an apprenticeship employer-provider.”
Best of British Engineering Award – sponsored by Enginuity
Decided on the evening of the ceremony, from the individual winners of the above categories.
Winner: Jamie Clarke, LISI Aerospace Rugby
“To close skills gaps UK engineering and manufacturing it is vital that we inspire people with the careers available in engineering and manufacturing and share best practice in skills development,” says Ann Watson, Chief Executive of Enginuity.
“I would like to thank all our nominees and winners for continuing a 10-year tradition of showcasing UK skills excellence and champions.”
Other supporting partners of the Enginuity Skills Awards 2024 include EDT, The Manufacturer, Siemens plc, KMF, Manufacturing Technology Centre, and Kontent.ai.
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Best of British Jamie Clarke
