Categories

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry with less than 50 employees. Recognising those who have committed to providing an outstanding working environment for staff between January 2025 and June 2026.

Entrants will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to understanding and improving their staff satisfaction, through surveys or engagement. The best company to work for could include those with unwavering commitment to providing training opportunities for staff, attention to worker’s health and wellbeing, providing relaxed and inspirational working environments and the opportunity for staff to progress in their careers.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Measures taken to support employee health, mental health and wellbeing
• A demonstrable effort to understand staff concerns
• Actions taken to improve working environments based on employee feedback
• Improvements to office environments
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry with between 50 to 249 employees. Recognising those who have committed to providing an outstanding working environment for staff between January 2025 and June 2026.

Entrants will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to understanding and improving their staff satisfaction, through surveys or engagement. The best company to work for could include those with unwavering commitment to providing training opportunities for staff, attention to worker’s health and wellbeing, providing relaxed and inspirational working environments and the opportunity for staff to progress in their careers.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Measures taken to support employee health, mental health and wellbeing
• A demonstrable effort to understand staff concerns
• Actions taken to improve working environments based on employee feedback
• Improvements to office environments
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry with more than 250 employees. Recognising those who have committed to providing an outstanding working environment for staff between January 2025 and June 2026.

Entrants will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to understanding and improving their staff satisfaction, through surveys or engagement. The best company to work for could include those with unwavering commitment to providing training opportunities for staff, attention to worker’s health and wellbeing, providing relaxed and inspirational working environments and the opportunity for staff to progress in their careers.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Measures taken to support employee health, mental health and wellbeing
• A demonstrable effort to understand staff concerns
• Actions taken to improve working environments based on employee feedback
• Improvements to office environments
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

  This category looks to recognise teams, divisions or companies that have gone the extra mile to inspire people to consider a career in construction between January 2025 and June 2026.

Whether it is promoting science, technology, engineering and maths in schools and colleges, or mentoring work placements and new joiners or working with youth organisations or other underrepresented communities, this organisation deserves recognition for encouraging more people to consider careers in construction.

Judges will be looking for:

• Ethos and drivers behind outreach work
• Description of outreach work itself
• Feedback from recipients and metrics on its effectiveness
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate success in social value initiatives between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award will recognise the company that is taking the lead in delivering positive impacts for the communities and stakeholders they work with. The winning entry will have an outstanding commitment to transparency, fairness, integrity and will show how it has measured and been accountable for its social impact, helping communities recover from economic inequality and contributing to environmental responsibility and equal opportunities.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Evidence of long-term commitment to a cause, or causes, that are helping to improve the company’s impact on the environment around it
• How your staff are contributing to CSR initiatives
• Evidence of collaboration with other organisations, be they clients, contractors or businesses from other industries
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate innovation in an apprenticeship scheme between January 2025 and June 2026.

Entrants should provide compelling evidence of a company-wide ethos or collaboration with partners and the supply chain to attract young or mid-career people and support them into long-term careers in construction through apprenticeships.

Judges will be looking for evidence of the commitment to apprentices, how companies have supported them through the pandemic and innovative ways companies have reached out to encourage the uptake of apprenticeships.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• How you set your apprenticeship offer apart as an employer
• A company culture that encourages on the job learning to enable apprentices to secure long-term employment
• Innovative ways companies are reached out and engaging with potential apprentices
• One or more initiatives launched or considered a success over the 12 months prior to June 2026

This category is open to UK-based apprentices working in the construction industry who are undertaking a recognised non-degree apprenticeship programme and have demonstrated outstanding promise in their chosen trade or technical discipline.

Entrants must be able to demonstrate achievements between January 2025 and June 2026 and must have been working in construction for no more than three years at the start of that period (i.e. their apprenticeship must have begun no earlier than January 2023).

Entries may be submitted by the apprentice or by their employer, but must include an endorsement from a manager or director within their organisation.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Commitment to learning and development within their trade or technical role
• Practical competence and progression beyond expected levels
• Strong work ethic, reliability and attitude on site or in the workplace
• Teamworking skills and positive contribution to colleagues and projects
• Ability to overcome challenges or barriers in their early career
• Any stand-out achievement or behaviour that demonstrates exceptional potential

This category is open to UK-based degree apprentices working in the construction industry who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, commitment and professional maturity while balancing academic study with workplace responsibilities.

Entrants must be enrolled on a recognised construction-related degree apprenticeship and able to demonstrate achievements between January 2025 and June 2026 .

Entries may be submitted by the apprentice or by their employer, but must include an endorsement from a senior manager, mentor or director within the organisation.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Excellence in balancing academic study with professional responsibilities
• Application of academic learning to deliver tangible workplace or project outcomes
• Leadership potential, initiative, or influence beyond their immediate role
• Contribution to business improvement, innovation, sustainability or best practice
• Professional behaviours, communication skills and stakeholder engagement
• Commitment to personal development and a long-term career in construction
• Any stand-out achievement or impact that clearly differentiates the entrant from their peers

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate excellence in learning and development opportunities between January 2025 and June 2026.

This category aims to recognise in-house learning and development teams (not training agencies) that deliver excellent opportunities for staff development and can demonstrate how this has supported the wider business.

The judges will be looking for evidence of:

• How the L&D initiative aligns with business goals
• How the L&D initiative fits into the wider HR strategy
• Outcomes of the initiative
• Innovation in the design and or delivery of L&D
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to UK-based graduates working in the construction industry who have demonstrated outstanding promise and can demonstrate achievements between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award aims to recognise a graduate working in the construction industry who has made a tangible difference to their business. It could be someone who has led a particular initiative during that time, or whose work has helped deliver a step-change to the business and its employees.

The winner will need to show initiative, demonstrable benefits to the business and evidence of the longer-term difference their actions have made. Entrants must have been working in construction for no more than three years at the start of that period (i.e. their graduation or graduate programme must have begun no earlier than January 2023).

Entries can be submitted by the graduate or by their employer, but in either case the entry must include an endorsement from a manager or director within their organisation.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Initiative and innovation
• Outstanding examples of initiatives or work led by the nominee
• Evidence of long-term impact of nominee’s actions and approach
• Determination in overcoming obstacles
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate excellence from an individual who has supported staff in a mentor role between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award is to recognise an individual who has inspired and helped develop staff within their organisation. The winner will need to show initiative, evidence of their impact as a role model and how this has supported business goals.

Entries can be submitted by the individuals or by their employer or line report, but in either case the entry must include an endorsement from another manager or director within their organisation.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Outstanding examples of inspiring staff in the industry
• Evidence of the impact they have had on developing staff
• Originality in their approach to mentorship
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate excellence within HR – and those responsible for the recruitment, retention, development and support of staff between January 2025 and June 2026.

Entrants should be able to demonstrate significant improvements in the recruitment, retention, training and development opportunities to help address skills gaps in their organisation.

The judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Teams who have been crucial to a successful workforce strategy
• Originality of recruitment and retention strategies
• Impact of the team’s initiatives evidenced by meaningful data, case studies and employee survey feedback
• Evidence of entrants championing their work across their organisation and more widely
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate excellent culture within their teams on projects between January 2025 and June 2026.

Entrants should be able to demonstrate excellent on-site or project team collaboration, leadership and recognition of the talented people who help to deliver the UK’s built environment.

The judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Teams who have been crucial to a project’s success
• How innovation and collaboration was fostered within the teams
• Evidence of learning from projects being applied elsewhere in the business
• Close working with and support for the entire supply chain
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate excellence among a digital or technology team between January 2025 and June 2026.

This category seeks to recognise a team who could be in charge of data management, using BIM or any part of the digitalisation of construction that has made a real impact on achieving business goals and delivering projects.

Entrants should be able to demonstrate the impact the team are having on the business, how they are driving digitisation or the use of technology and how they integrate with the wider business and projects to drive performance.

The judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Why the team are critical to the business and their impact
• How innovation and new technology is promoted and utilised
• Collaborative working with the wider business and teams
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate excellence among a team focused on environmental and decarbonisation initiatives in construction between January 2025 and June 2026.

This category seeks to recognise a team that has made a real impact on achieving sustainability and carbon reduction business goals within the business or on projects.

Entrants should be able to demonstrate the impact the team are having on the business, how they are driving the decarbonisation and improved environmental outcomes of construction and how they integrate with the wider business and projects to drive performance.

The judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Why the team are critical to the business and their impact on achieving net zero
• How low carbon and sustainability is championed across the business and in projects
• Collaborative working with the wider business and teams
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry and their EDI leaders who can demonstrate success between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award aims to recognise an individual who strives to foster a more equal, diverse and inclusive workplace for all employees through equal workplace opportunities and inclusive leadership.

Recommendation: Any entry in the equality, diversity & inclusion initiatives category should consider putting an individual forward for this award

Entries can be submitted by the individuals or by their employer, but in either case the entry must include an endorsement from another manager or director within their organisation.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• How has the individual personally made a difference in their company?
• Outstanding examples of initiatives or work led by the nominee
• Evidence of long-term impact of nominee’s actions and initiatives
• Performance or achievements that surpass expectations

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate success in equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives between January 2025 and June 2026.

Equality, diversity and inclusion brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the construction industry. This award aims to recognise industry-leading performance and showcase organisations who are going the extra mile to recruit from a diverse background and improve diversity in their leadership teams.

The entry should demonstrate the business’s attempts to foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace for all employees and describe how this is helping to attract and retain talent. Your initiative may be at head office and/or project delivery level, and might also be as part of a partnership, framework or joint venture. These should highlight how supply chain collaboration and integration in diversity result in a better outcome for all parties.

The entry should have one lead organisation but may also provide details of other relevant companies involved.

Judges will be looking for evidence of some, if not all, of the following:

• Leadership that filters down to all levels, with positive role models within the business
• Why your diversity and inclusion policies make you an employer of choice in the construction industry
• The ways the scheme contributes to employee engagement
• The ways the scheme is helping to attract and retain talent
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry and their health and safety leaders who can demonstrate success between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award is to recognise an individual working in the construction industry who strives to recognise and improve their fellow colleagues and supply chain partners’ health and safety.

Recommendation: Any entry in the health & safety initiatives category should consider putting an individual forward for this award

Entries can be submitted by the individuals or by their employer, but in either case the entry must include an endorsement from another manager or director within their organisation.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• How has the individual personally made a difference in their company?
• Outstanding examples of initiatives or work led by the nominee
• Evidence of long-term impact of nominee’s actions and initiatives
• Performance or achievements that surpass expectations

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate innovation in health and safety between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award aims to recognise a company or organisation that strives to improve their employees’ health and safety.

Please note: Any wellbeing or mental health initiatives should be submitted in the new Mental Health & Wellbeing categories.

Judges will want to see how the initiative made a positive workplace environment for employees, and how its success was measured. It does not have to be a new initiative, but the outcomes should be specific to the 12 months prior to June 2026.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Leadership that embedded this initiative for health and safety in workplace culture
• Measures taken to improve safety with evidence or testimonials from employees
• Innovation in the initiatives to raise awareness and support better health and safety
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate innovation in mental health support and wellbeing between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award aims to recognise a company or organisation that strives to improve their employees’ physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Please note: Any health and safety focused initiatives should be submitted in the Health & Safety categories.

Judges will want to see how the initiative made a positive workplace environment for employees, and how its success was measured. It does not have to be a new initiative, but the outcomes should be specific to the 12 months prior to June 2026.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• Leadership that embedded this initiative for mental wellbeing in workplace culture
• Measures taken to improve support and testimonials from employees
• Innovation in the initiatives to raise awareness and support better mental health and wellbeing in the workplace
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry and their mental health and wellbeing leaders who can demonstrate success between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award is to recognise an individual working in the construction industry who strives to recognise and improve their fellow colleagues and supply chain partners’ physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Recommendation: Any entry in the mental health & wellbeing initiatives category should consider putting an individual forward for this award

Entries can be submitted by the individuals or by their employer, but in either case the entry must include an endorsement from another manager or director within their organisation.

Judges will particularly be looking for evidence of:

• How has the individual personally made a difference in their company?
• Outstanding examples of initiatives or work led by the nominee
• Evidence of long-term impact of nominee’s actions and initiatives
• Performance or achievements that surpass expectations

This category is open to all types of companies working in the construction industry who can demonstrate success in innovative workplace initiatives that support the retention and engagement of staff between January 2025 and June 2026.

This award aims to recognise industry-leading performance and showcase organisations who are going the extra mile to motivate, engage and retain staff in their organisations.

Your initiative may be at head office and/or project delivery level, and might also be as part of a partnership, framework or joint venture.

The entry should have one lead organisation but may also provide details of other relevant companies involved.

Judges will be looking for evidence of some, if not all, of the following:

• Leadership that demonstrates a commitment to fostering innovative workplace culture
• Evidence of initiatives that actively involve employees in decision making
• Adaptability to industry trends including flexible working and practices to accommodate diverse employee needs
• The ways the scheme contributes to employee engagement and is helping to retain talent
• Any other stand-out performance that particularly merits this award