Our EAL centres are full of fantastic people – brilliant tutors, high-achieving learners and real champions of skills.
Yet how often do we or you shout about it? Not often enough in my view.
That’s why I am asking you to make sure this wealth of talent is recognised by entering or nominating your organisation, learners or an employer you’ve been working with for the prestigious Enginuity Skills Awards.
These are no ordinary awards – now in their fourth year, they honour the very best in British advanced manufacturing and engineering, giving the winners exposure to leading employers and the wider population, providing inspiration to others.
I am certain we can all name at least one apprentice, higher apprentice, graduate or skills champion who deserve to be recognised.
You will also know which company or organisation has demonstrated real skills innovation; small and medium sized enterprises that you have helped to invest in the future; a technician who has excelled in the role or a passionate advocate for diversity.
Each of these disciplines has an awards category all of its own thanks to the sponsors listed below. EAL is proud to put its name to the Training Partner of the Year award, a category that celebrates amazing centres like yourselves.
Learners are at the heart of everything we do, so the quality of the education they receive is of paramount importance. It is why we want to showcase those who deliver innovative solutions focused on skills development, behaviour and attitudes – leading to high quality qualifications and accreditations.
What’s not to like? The entry criteria isn’t onerous and I know many of you hold your own awards to celebrate the achievements of your learners and employers, so you will more than likely have the information to hand needed to nominate a brilliant individual or organisation and give them and your centre the national recognition you deserve.
You only need to see what it means to those who won last year to understand the positive impact of picking up an award.
Including Training Partner of the Year, sponsored by EAL, there are nine categories in total – the others being Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by MBDA UK Ltd); Higher Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Rolls-Royce plc); Graduate of the Year (sponsored by Airbus); Skills Champion of the Year (sponsored by BAE Systems plc); Skills Innovation of the Year (sponsored by GetMyFirstJob); SME Investment in Skills (sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover);Technician of the Year (sponsored by The Royal Academy of Engineering) and Diversity in Engineering supported by WISE.
The shortlisted nominees will then make it to the Enginuity Skills Awards gala dinner, to be held at London’s Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, on International Women’s day - Wednesday March 8th next year.
Don’t be left wondering if it could have been your centre, a colleague, your learner or employer. Those wishing to nominate themselves, a colleague or a business should go to enginuity.org/skillsawards and complete their online application before nominations close at midnight on Wednesday November 30th.
Good luck!
