Businesses and apprentices across the UK have spent the past 6 months involved in a gruelling judging process in the hope of being crowned the National Winner for one of eight awards categories.

Apprentices from top UK companies were put through their paces following an online submission. Their entries were judged by a panel of experts in their field, with a selection being invited to regional interviews. These young hopefuls met with industry leaders to answer questions on their apprenticeship and to share what they’ve learnt, and skills they’ve developed, as part of their Business or Engineering training programme.

October saw the apprentice and business regional winners crowned at local celebration events. A host of sponsors attended including AIG, HVM Catapult, Liberty, Randstad Inhouse Services, and RSM, alongside Menzies in the South, to explain their involvement in the awards programme and why they feel it’s so important to celebrate the successes of UK manufacturing.

The regional winners were invited to attend national interviews in Birmingham during December. The two-day interview process saw more than 30 companies sharing their success stories in the hope of being crowned a National Winner.

With just one day to go until the National Gala Dinner, we can’t wait to see who will take this year’s awards. The evening will culminate in one company being crowned Manufacturer of the Year 2018. They will join an impressive list of past winners, most recently including Weir Minerals Europe Ltd (2017), Advanced Insulation (2016), and Acorn Stairlifts (2015).

Across the awards programme we have seen companies make the most of new technologies, of new untapped markets, and of new skill sets from emerging leaders of the future. We have seen apprentices thrive whilst developing a product, increasing efficiency on company-wide projects, or saving millions of pounds with a revolutionary idea.

In a period of political and economic uncertainty there has never been a better time to come together and celebrate the excellent work of manufacturers in the UK; to share ideas and best practice; to network and make connections with local businesses; and to remind ourselves of what the sector has achieved over the past 10 years.

Follow @EEF_Insights on Twitter for the latest news and award winner announcements live on the 30th January 2019!

Email [email protected] for more information about the Future Manufacturing Awards programme 2019.