Entries for the Make UK Manufacturing Awards close on 19 June and it’s free to enter.
Posted on 15 May 2026
Spotlight category: Health, Safety and Wellbeing
This category recognises exceptional projects that improve occupational health, safety and wellbeing in UK manufacturing, going above and beyond legal compliance. That could be anything from strengthening safety culture and employee wellbeing, to safer systems of work (e.g. lock-out/tag-out), to using new tech (including AI/computer vision) to control workplace hazards.
Spotlight category: Sustainability
Recognising organisations that deliver measurable sustainability improvements beyond compliance and business as usual. Entries should demonstrate a defined project or programme with positive environmental impact, such as reducing raw materials, energy or water use; adopting clean technologies; improving waste and recycling; developing greener products; or changing processes to boost efficiency and support net zero.
Spotlight category: Developing Future Talent
This award recognises organisations that champion diversity, develop skills and nurture talent. It celebrates initiatives improving inclusion, recruitment and progression, addressing skills gaps through training, apprenticeships or mentoring, strengthening digital capabilities, and inspiring future talent through schools engagement and community collaboration that promotes engineering and manufacturing careers nationwide sector impact.
Spotlight category: Innovation
This award recognises strategically driven innovation across products, processes, markets and business models that has delivered productivity, efficiency or growth in the past three years. It celebrates digital transformation, adoption of emerging technologies, collaborative partnerships, operational innovation and new models such as servitisation or circular economy approaches within manufacturing sector.
Spotlight category: SME of the Region
This award celebrates manufacturing SMEs with fewer than 250 employees that demonstrate bold leadership, strong management and progressive best practice. It recognises ambition, innovation and investment, adoption of new technologies, agility through diversification, commitment to people development and communities, and the drive to scale sustainably despite limited resources constraints sector.
Spotlight category: Strategic Business Growth
This award recognises outstanding business growth driven by a clear, well‑managed strategy delivered within the last 12 months. It celebrates expansion through exports, new markets or diversification, investment in digitalisation and skills, development of new products and customers, and strengthened distribution or supply chains to support resilient, sustainable growth objectives.
Spotlight category: Manufacturing Impact
This award recognises UK manufacturers that deliver a positive social or environmental impact beyond the workplace. It celebrates inspiring initiatives such as community engagement, volunteering, wellbeing support, employability and training programmes, charitable fundraising, adaptive business practices, and innovative products or services that demonstrate manufacturing’s wider contribution to society and local communities.
Spotlight category: Apprentice Categories
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Apprentice Endeavour Award This category recognises apprentices who demonstrate exceptional resilience, commitment and determination in continuing their apprenticeship despite facing adverse circumstances. It shines a light on individual journeys, celebrating progress, perseverance and personal growth rather than traditional measures of success alone. By recognising these stories, the award reinforces the importance of inclusive apprenticeship pathways that enable individuals in manufacturing to overcome challenges and achieve their potential.
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Apprenticeship Champion Award The Apprenticeship Champion Award celebrates apprentices who go above and beyond their role to advocate for manufacturing and apprenticeships more widely. It recognises individuals who act as ambassadors for the sector through outreach, STEM engagement, community or campaigning work, and who actively support and inspire others. By highlighting these role models, the category helps promote apprenticeships as a powerful and positive career pathway while strengthening the future talent pipeline for manufacturing.
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Manufacturing Apprentice: Rising Star This category recognises apprentices in the early stages of their apprenticeship who have fully embraced training and development opportunities and are already making a meaningful contribution to their employer. It celebrates enthusiasm, initiative and potential, highlighting individuals who show strong promise for the future of manufacturing. By identifying and rewarding emerging talent early, the Rising Star category helps encourage engagement, confidence and long‑term progression within the sector.
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Manufacturing Apprentice: Final Year The Manufacturing Apprentice: Final Year category recognises apprentices who, in the final stage of their apprenticeship, have made a significant and measurable contribution to their organisation. It celebrates those who have seized development opportunities, delivered results and demonstrated readiness for a successful long‑term career in manufacturing. By showcasing these achievements, the award highlights the impact apprentices can make on business performance and the value of investing in skills at a critical transition point.
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Why enter?
• Gain recognition and raise your company’s profile
• Celebrate your achievements as a team
• Network with peers at Make UK’s celebratory Regional Dinners
Make UK would love to see your story and celebrate your achievements.
Enter now: www.makeuk.org/awards
Any questions,contact awards@makeuk.org.
