About Apprentice Automation Challenge

Apprentice Automation Challenge provides a brilliant opportunity for talented apprentices to compete in an innovative design and manufacturing challenge to automate an everyday device.

The Challenge is open to teams of apprentices from companies, colleges and training providers of engineering and manufacturing technologies.

Participants will be asked to submit a report which is to include a design specification, manufacturing instructions, user manual and a business case for the mass production and sale of the product.

The prototypes will be judged at the Finals event which takes place in September at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry, where the Apprentice Automation Challenge Champions will be crowned and awarded a £2,000 prize.

The Apprentice Automation Challenge (AAC) is organised by our Manufacturing Industries Division’s Young Members Committee.

Meet the 2025 teams

The Challenge

To design and build a device to automate a process
To manufacture a product that addresses key challenges in today's society in areas, e.g. energy efficiency at home, corporate social responsibility and circular economy.

Teams must demonstrate engineering competence according to EC UK-SPEC for EngTech by: