Registration open for the Apprentice Automation Challenge 2025

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers warmly invites all apprentices to register for the next exciting season of our manufacturing engineering competition.

Registration is straightforward and free for teams: simply complete the registration form by 3 March 2025.

Organised by the Institution's Manufacturing Industries Division’s Young Members Committee, this annual engineering competition tasks teams of up to eight apprentices to design and manufacture a device to automate an everyday product. This could be a smart mirror, food processor, an automated walking stick; the choice is yours.

This is a great opportunity for apprentices and the companies their work at to further develop their knowledge, expertise and skills on a fun, high-profile project that is as close to the real world as possible. All teams develop and submit a report that includes a full design specification, manufacturing instructions, user manual and business case.

The Challenge culminates with an exciting finals event at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry in late September, where teams are able to demonstrate their working prototypes and respond to questions from the judging panel: watch the 2024 highlights with apprentices from Thales, BAE Systems and Domino Printing Services.

Getting involved in the Apprentice Automation Challenge is very simple:

• Download the AAC 2025 rules
• Gather a team of up to six apprentices
• Complete the registration form on the Challenge website
• Start brainstorming ideas for your product

If you have any questions, visit the Apprentice Automation Challenge website or email our team at aac.challenge@imeche.org.

On behalf of the IMechE and the Challenge organising committee, we look forward to welcoming you and your team to the Apprentice Automation Challenge 2025.