What is The Engineering Trust Awards?
Knowing What You Are Nominating For
The Engineering Trust Awards are an annual celebration of the array of talent shown by apprentices on-board during the pertaining year's pool of future engineers. Designed to show gratitude towards not just their efforts, but the dedication and help of the companies themselves that "house" these apprentices...
There are various categories for both apprentices and employers, including:
Apprentice Awards
- Apprentice of the Year Award
- Trevor Woodger Award for Progression
Employer Awards
- Above and Beyond Award
- Apprentice Employer of the Year
Are You Eligible to Have Your Say?
Knowing What Criteria You Must Satisfy
Eligibility for nominations are on a per award basis for both nominator and apprentice, meaning criteria that must be met for your vote be be counted and considered based on the specific award being voted for...
Apprentice Awards
- Apprentice of the Year Award
Votes must be for an apprentice who has completed their apprenticeship in 2026 or is at least 12 months (9 months, if Level 2 apprentice) into their apprenticeship.
Nominations to this category are by Training Officers and TESA Lecturers only. After a nomination is received the apprentice and employer will be contacted for a nominee statement and an endorsement, respectively. Judges will decide on a winner based on the nomination (Training Officer/TESA lecturer), endorsement (employer) and nominee statement (apprentice) for each nominee.
- Trever Woodger Award for Progression
Votes must be for an ex-apprentice who completed their apprenticeship with ETT.A current apprentice who is at least 12 months (9 months, if Level 2 apprentice) into their apprenticeship.
Nominations can be from a current or former employer, work colleague or ETT team member. An endorsement is then requested, ideally from a current or former manager/mentor/employer. The person nominating will need to provide details for whoever can endorse. We will contact the endorser and apprentice for an endorsement and nominee statement, respectively. Judges will decide on a winner based on the nomination, endorsement and nominee statement for each nominee.
Employer Awards
- Above and Beyond Award
Nominations can be from a current or former apprentice, an employer, a work colleague or an ETT team member.
After a nomination is received the nominee and employer will be contacted for a nominee statement and an endorsement, respectively. Judges will decide on a winner based on the nomination, endorsement and nominee statement for each nominee..
- Apprentice Employer of the Year
Nominations can be from the company itself, a current or former apprentice, an employee, or an ETT team member.
Any nomination must evidence how the whole organisation is committed to apprenticeships (variety, flexibility and diversity).
Evidence the support given to apprentices with focus on aspects beyond the basic requirements for operating an apprenticeship scheme (organisational/ departmental support, dedicated mentors, training for mentors, wider team inclusion). Explaining how apprenticeships have brought positive benefits to the business. Explaining why the business is a great place to work (career progression - personal development).
A member of the senior management team will be contacted for a supporting statement. Please ensure they are aware of the nomination.
How Can You Nominate Apprentices or Employers?
Knowing What To Do If You Can Nominate?
If the criterion for any the awards applies to you, and you would like to cast your vote, follow your relevant hyperlinks (embedded in the arrow icons - one per award) for the "Nomination Form".
Download your own copy before making edits (by doing the above). Please fill out the form and email them to: d.tatineni@theengineeringtrust.org (as instructed)
- Apprentice of the Year Award
Being internally selected, by The Engineering Trust Training Officers and TESA Lecturers, there is no nomination form.
This award is then judged by: sponsor company - The Manufacturer (www.themanufacturer.com)
- Trevor Woodger Award for Progression
This award is then judged by: Trustees of The Engineering Trust
- Above and Beyond Award
This award is then judged by: sponsor company - Intake Talent (www.intaketalent.co.uk)
- Apprentice Employer of the Year
This award is then judged by: sponsor company - Priddey Marketing (www.priddeymarketing.co.uk)
Ensuring You Nominate Successfully...
Common Mistakes Made and How to Avoid Them
Here are some of the common pitfalls nominators could fall into, and how to make sure your nomination is properly considered...
Not Detailing Enough Tangible Proof
In the bottom 3 elaborative boxes on the forms, nominations tend to over-emphasize narrative, anecdotal recollection. Instead, include figures or other measures to legitimise claims made in the form...
Good examples of evidence include:
- Examples of projects that resulted in improvements in performance or business outcomes
- New skills developed or career progression achieved
- Positive feedback from colleagues
- Evidence of how an apprenticeship has benefited an individual, team, or organisation
- Photographs or evidence of contributions and impact beyond the day-to-day role (schools, community projects, charity initiatives). Where possible, explain what the activity involved, the individual’s contribution and the difference it made.
Letting Generative AI Create Your Responses
Most Large Language Models (LLMs) create text output that follows a specific structure and tone-of-voice, if it is clear that the elaborative boxes are filled with un-changed AI responses it may harm the nomination's evaluation. Perceived as "lazy" or "low-effort"...
Forgetting To Submit All the Documents
The nomination, as you know from this post, is not just the attached form - judges require depth in the form of the additional documents like the endorsement for instance. Missing any will harm the perceived rigour of the nomination...
Quality, Not Quantity
Focus on staying clear, concise in responses, supported by specific examples is more effective than a lengthy narrative that lacks evidence. Make sure you answer the question being asked, provide relevant examples and explain the impact. Every detail should help the judges understand the strength of your nomination.
Judges Tend To Look For:
- Substance
- Impact
- Evidence
Ready to nominate? Have your say, and make the next Engineering Trust Annual Awards truly reflective of employer and apprentice efforts during the year.
[This "News & Stories" post last updated October 2026 - any changes in the nominating process will be reflected in this article's updates and re-posting]