Awards season and D-Day for HS2

It’s awards season. And as we hurtle towards the end of another testing year for the engineering sector, it’s reassuring that the UK’s manufacturing and technology firms still have plenty to shout about.

This Wednesday the spotlight is turned first on innovation, at the IET’s (Institution of Engineering and Technology) annual Innovation awards and then on manufacturing excellence at the Manufacturer’s annual conference and Awards.

Meanwhile, with the Engineer’s own Technology and Innovation Awards fast approaching, we’re proud to present our shortlisted finalists here. Despite continuing uncertainty over the state of the economy, the record number of entries received for this year’s event paint a reassuring picture of the importance of innovation to the UK’s incredibly diverse technology sector. The winners will be revealed at the Royal Society on December 2nd and the results published here and in The Engineer Magazine. 

The cream of some of the UK’s most advanced engineering sectors will also be on display in Birmingham this week at the annual Advanced Engineering show. Running from Wednesday to Thursday at the Birmingham NEC, the event brings together four separate shows: composites engineering, aero engineering, energy engineering and the UK plastics electronics show.  According to the organiser, each of these will feature a range of innovative exhibits and conferences and will provide a host of opportunities for   networking and discussion.

Finally, this Tuesday will see the publication of a key report on the controversial High Speed 2 rail project. The £17Billion project which would link London with Birmingham has faced mounting criticism from both environmental campaigners and those doubting the economic viability of the scheme. The findings of this weeks eagerly awaited transport committee report could have major implications for the future of the project.