Skills deserve standing ovations.

Skills deserve standing ovations.

A group of five performers in white clothing doing a human pyramid on stage, with a large moon and starry backdrop overhead.
Man in black vest and white shirt standing and clapping in a banquet hall with seated attendees, ornate decor, and dark curtains.
2026 Awards

The Hazels is the UK's national Space Skills Awards Gala, celebrating every skill used throughout the UK space sector. From apprentices and technicians to craftspeople, engineers, educators, manufacturers, communicators and innovators.

The Hazels aim to become the UK's most influential independent movement changing attitudes, perceptions and practices towards skills, using the UK space sector as the catalyst.

The Hazels annual Awards Gala is just the start. Our future vision includes programmes, education, research, consulting, and providing accreditations to educators and employers championing skills in the UK.

Find out why we're called The Hazels

More than that, The Hazels believes the country needs a whole-scale attitude reset - where skills are valued as equal to academia; where skilled workers can inspire and nurture the next generation; and where skills are aspirational.

“The country needs a whole system reset” - Alan Milburn

Elegant banquet table set for a formal event with white tablecloths, multiple wine glasses, silverware, utensils, and place cards. A centerpiece features a vase with a sign that reads 'Cassini'. The background shows more similarly decorated tables and a stage area in a decorated hall.
Group of men at an outdoor gathering, some holding drinks, engaged in conversation, wearing dress shirts and blazers.

One aim of the Hazels is to showcase how the UK Space industry is using traditional crafts and skills, such as sewing, knitting and bricklaying are repurposed to support space innovation, as well as celebrating excellence in engineering, data science and the many more skills used within the UK Space industry.