The Future Apprentice of the Year Award for Shaping the Future

Are you the Future Apprentice of the Year who is Shaping the Future?

We’re searching schools, colleges, and sixth forms across the UK to find the next Future Apprentice of the Year Celebrating who is Shaping the Future. In partnership with Rolls-Royce, this award recognises ambitious, forward-thinking students who are passionate about learning, curious about new technologies, and driven to make a real-world impact. It’s all about celebrating collaboration, creativity, and the future-ready skills that power innovation and shape tomorrow’s industries.

If you’re inspired by Rolls-Royce’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and engineering a better future, and you’re ready to show how your skills can make a difference, this is your moment to shine.

Enter if you are:

A current student at a school, college or sixth form in the UK
In Year 13 (or equivalent)
Studying at least four GCSEs, including:
- Maths at Grade 6/B or above
- English Language at Grade 4/C or above
- A Science subject (excluding Biology) at Grade 4/C or above
- One other subject at Grade 4/C or above
Studying either:
- Three A-Levels, including at least one Business or STEM-related subject, or
- A BTEC Extended Diploma, including Maths (A-Level or equivalent) and a Business or STEM-related subject

Apply

prizes

What could you win?

Get the opportunity to be considered for a Rolls-Royce apprenticeship!

The winner will also receive an Apple Watch, Rolls-Royce-branded gifts and an exclusive immersive experience at Rolls-Royce, giving you the chance to see what it’s really like to work for one of the world’s leading engineering companies.

All finalists will also be considered for an apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce, giving you a valuable opportunity to take your first step towards a career in engineering.

what it takes

What makes an award winner?

The winner of this award will be someone with the motivation, curiosity and ambition to unlock their potential. They’ll be self-aware, open to learning and ready to challenge themselves as they take their first steps towards a career with Rolls-Royce.

We’re looking for someone who demonstrates:

Motivation & self-awareness – someone who understands their strengths, recognises where they can develop and is motivated to keep learning and improving.
Resilience, flexibility & agility – someone who can adapt to new situations, overcome challenges and keep moving forward when things don’t go to plan.
A skills-based approach to learning – someone who enjoys developing practical skills, putting their learning into action and finding new ways to solve problems. Rolls-Royce apprenticeships combine learning with real-world experience, giving you the opportunity to build skills that can support your future career.
A passion for Rolls-Royce and what they do – someone who is curious about the work Rolls-Royce does, excited by engineering and innovation, and keen to understand how they could play a part in shaping the future.

Above all, we’re looking for someone who is bold, curious and ready to reach further. Someone who wants to make the most of every opportunity, learn from the people around them and use their skills and ideas to make a difference.

Could you be the next Rolls-Royce Apprentice of the Year?

Review application

FROM OUR PARTNER

Rolls-Royce and the Future Apprentice of the Year

Our people are our power. Their pride in what Rolls-Royce has achieved, their commitment to delivering excellence to our customers, and their vision of what we can achieve in the future are all fundamental to our continued success. We are a global organisation, employing over 50,000 people in more than 46 countries, and for over 100 years we have built a reputation for technical innovation and excellence.

Today, Rolls-Royce is entering a phase of accelerated global growth in areas such as nuclear, digital engineering, and sustainable aviation. At the same time, our industry is being reshaped by disruptive transformation and rapid technological change. To thrive in this environment, we need not only world-class technical expertise, but also the human capabilities that will fuel transformation and unlock future success.

That’s why we are committed to developing our people’s skills, enhancing flexibility and motivation, and creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where talent can flourish. Alongside our investment in technical excellence, we are focused on future skills such as analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, leadership and social influence, motivation and self-awareness, creative and systems thinking, and curiosity and lifelong learning.

Click here to find out more about the exciting apprenticeship opportunities at Rolls-Royce.

Why an award those that are Shaping the Future?

We face a widening capability gap across industries, driven by rising complexity and the pace of innovation. Traditional hiring and development models alone are not enough. The future depends on people who can adapt, think critically, lead with influence, and approach problems with creativity and curiosity.

The Future Apprentice of the Year Award for those that are Shaping the Future is designed to recognise and celebrate students who demonstrate these qualities. By highlighting the importance of human skills alongside technical expertise, we want to inspire the next generation to embrace change, drive innovation, and shape a better future for us all.

How do I win?

Start your journey

To apply, you’ll need to:

Register for the Future Apprentice of the Year

Deadline: 12pm (midday), Monday 15 February 2027.

Online tests

Deadline:

February

2027

Submit by

15 February

2027

Remember, please make sure you allow enough time to complete the whole application before the deadline.

If you’re successful in progressing to the next stage, we’ll be in touch with details of what happens next.

Assessment

If you successfully pass the initial application and screening stage, your application will be reviewed by Rolls-Royce

From there, you could be invited to take part in networking, interviews, an assessment centre or other activities designed to help you showcase your skills and get to know Rolls-Royce.

Full details will be given to successful students.

Celebrate your success

Made it to the final? Congratulations!

The final shortlisted students will be invited to join us at the Awards ceremony on 9 April 2027, where we’ll celebrate their achievements and reveal the winner of each award.

Could you be taking home the trophy? Good luck!

Review application Apply