NASC has opened entries for the 2026 Scaffolding Excellence Awards, with this year’s apprentice category renamed in memory of former NASC president and CISRS chairman Wayne Connolly.
The Wayne Connolly Apprentice of the Year Award is the only category change for 2026.
Connolly died unexpectedly in December 2025. The renamed award recognises his long service to the scaffolding industry and his work in training, standards and the development of new talent.
The winners will be announced at ScaffEx26 in Manchester on Friday 11 September, during the awards evening.
The awards will again recognise work across people, projects, products and services in the scaffolding and access sector.
As in previous years, entries are open only to NASC members.
The 2026 awards will use the same 9 categories as last year. They are:
- Wayne Connolly Apprentice of the Year
- Design of the Year
- Project of the Year, Small
- Project of the Year, Medium
- Project of the Year, Large
- Project of the Year, Major
- Product of the Year
- Service of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr James MacFadden, Senior Responsible CSA Engineer at Sellafield, will return as chair of the judging panel.
He said: “We saw an exceptional standard of entries in 2025, with brilliant examples of innovation, project delivery, leadership and collaboration across the sector.
“I am looking forward to seeing how the industry continues to raise the bar in 2026. These awards are an important way to recognise hard work and professionalism that often goes unseen.
“Once again, I am pleased to be chairing a panel of leading experts from across the industry who all bring different expertise and experience to the process.”
The awards form part of ScaffEx26, which will be held in Manchester and bring together contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, training providers and industry bodies from across the scaffolding and access sector.
Further details on the award categories, criteria and entry process are available on the NASC website.
