The Young Engineer Awards are a unique opportunity for young professionals to step forward and advocate for their own skills and contributions to the water industry. Unlike other awards, we encourage young engineers to nominate themselves.

A Young Engineer Award represents industry-wide recognition for the hard work, achievements, and innovate projects of young engineers in the sector. These awards further highlight the potential of our future industry leaders and decision makers, and prove that an engineer can have a significant impact upon the sector at any point in their career.

Beyond the recognition, the Young Engineer Awards serve as a powerful launchpad for individual's careers. Young engineers will expand their professional network by connecting with established industry professionals and gain a platform to become a role model for the next generation of engineers.

Do you know a young engineer who is already making a significant impact in your team and the water industry? By nominating them for the Young Engineer Awards, you're doing more than just putting their name forward, you're investing in the future of the sector.

Nominating a talented young engineer is a powerful way to give your rising stars the recognition they deserve for their hard work and contributions. The Young Engineer Awards is a testament to their dedication and huge motivator for their career. 

A nomination also highlights the dedication of the company, mentors and educators responsible for nurturing and developing these young professionals. It proves that you're invested in your employees' growth and success. 

By shining a spotlight on exceptional young talent, you're helping to inspire the next generation of engineers and ensure a robust future for the UK water sector. Your nominee could be the next industry leader, making a vital impact for years to come.

The first stage of the process is the nomination form. This consists of three sections: personal details, a section to be completed by the nominee, and one to be completed by the nominator. This form is the only material considered by the judging panel at this stage of the process, and marks are awarded for each completed section. It is therefore essential that all sections be completed to allow for accurate assessment of the application. 

After this, the judges deliberate over all applications and a shortlist for each category is announced. 

In the second stage, all finalists will be invited for an interview and to give a 15-minute presentation. The outcome of this process will be the selection of the award winners. More details of the stage two process will be supplied to the finalists at the shortlist stage.

At this second stage, shortlisted candidates will also be required to submit up to 10 photographs and 3 videos that show yourself, your work, and your achievements to use within the winner's video. 

New for 2026, the Pump Centre is proud to announce an enhanced rewards package for the winners, with a value totalling over £1500. The winners of the three categories, plus the recipient of the Derek Jackson Special Achievement Award, will receive:

• A commemorative trophy.
• A gift voucher worth £250.
• One Pump Centre training course of the winner's choice up to the value of £500.
• A feature article in the Pump Centre publications.
• An invite for the winner and a guest to attend the Water Equipment Show Conference Dinner Awards Ceremony.
• The opportunity to sit on and be part of the Pump Centre Council for up to 12 months, which will typically run June through to May the following year.
• 4 x 2-hour mentoring sessions with a member of the Pump Centre Team or a Pump Centre Consultant. The mentoring sessions are valid for 12 months from May. Mentoring would be tailored to meet the need of the winner and could include career advice, professional development or linked to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). It would not be technical, design or project advice.
• Unlimited use of the winner's title in their signature footer. (NB: wording and graphic to be provided by and agreed with the Pump Centre prior to ues. The signature footer will include year of award).
• For the winner's company, use of the winner's award and title in their publicity material. (NB: wording and graphic to be provided by and agreed with the Pump Centre prior to use. The wording and/or graphic is to include the year of award).
• For each winner's company, a £350 reduction on their Pump Centre membership for the following year. (NB: this is for Pump Centre membership only and cannot be used for WIMES, WIMWG, or other Pump Centre related products, services, and products. If a company has more than one winner, then the amount will be multipled by the amount of winners).

Yes you can! Self-nominations are welcomed and encouraged.

The Young Engineer Awards are presented at the Water Equipment Show Awards Dinner at Telford International Centre on Wednesday 13th May 2026.