News Item: Niftylift Apprentices Win 2025 IMechE Apprentice Automation Challenge
Niftylift’s apprentice team, Elevation Nation, has been crowned winner of the 2025 IMechE Apprentice Automation Challenge (AAC), marking the company’s second consecutive victory in this prestigious national competition.
The finals, held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, brought together a record 17 apprentice teams from across the UK. Each team was challenged to design and present an innovative automated product for use in the home or garden.
Niftylift’s team impressed judges with their project, the Automated Stirrer, a clever kitchen aid that provides hands-free stirring to make cooking easier. The product combines practical functionality with thoughtful design, offering users adjustable speed settings and greater convenience for time-sensitive cooking tasks.
Chief Judge Toby Heagarty said: “The winning team significantly impressed with their presentation skills. The prototype they developed showed iteration over time into their final product and the significant amount of research they had done into the market was a key factor in the judges’ decision.”
Karl Digby, Niftylift’s Apprentice Development Manager, added: “The team should be really proud of themselves for the work they put in. They’ve been excellent ambassadors for the company and for the apprenticeship scheme. This result reflects their talent, teamwork, and determination to succeed.”
Niftylift’s Chairman and Founder, Roger Bowden, also congratulated the team, saying: “This achievement is a testament to the enthusiasm, creativity, and professionalism of our young engineers. To see two different Niftylift teams win this competition in consecutive years is remarkable and reflects the strength of our apprenticeship programme. Our apprentices continue to make us proud, not only through their technical skill but also their passion for engineering innovation.”
The win follows Niftylift’s 2024 success at the same competition, when another team of Niftylift apprentices, Elevate Elite, took the top spot. Two members of this year’s winning team, Paigan Huish and Ben Gillow, also featured in last year’s line-up, earning them the rare distinction of back-to-back wins.
Niftylift’s 2025 team members include:
Their mentor, Karl Digby, and Niftylift’s training and HR teams have supported the group throughout the project, offering guidance as they developed their prototype from concept to completion.
Now in its eleventh year, the IMechE Apprentice Automation Challenge continues to grow in scale and reputation, giving young engineers the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity, problem-solving ability, and practical engineering skills in a professional environment.