Member Article

South West Firms Celebrate Success at CECA Training Awards

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) South West has recognised the exceptional performance and dedication of trainee civil engineers, apprentices and lifetime achievers at a special ceremony in Torquay.

Six young people received accolades at CECA’s annual training awards - and with an expected 20,000 jobs opening up in the civil engineering sector across the region over the next five years, many more are expected to follow their lead.

Retired Major Projects Director at HOCHTIEF (UK) Construction, Keith Broughton, from Frome in Somerset, was also recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Industry award for over 40 years of civil engineering excellence.

At the ceremony, Thomas Mitchell, from Lympstone in Devon, was named the Most Promising Apprentice after joining Interserve Construction in Exeter as a construction technical apprentice. Chloe Martin, from Swindon, also received special recognition as runner-up in this award category for her achievements as an administrative apprentice with HOCHTIEF (UK) Construction in Swindon.

Dewi Liiv, from Blaenau, Ammanford, South Wales, who is employed by Alun Griffiths (Contractors) in Bristol, received the south west’s Most Promising Trainee Civil Engineer Award, while Alex Evans, from Abergavenny, was judged the Most Promising Trainee Quantity Surveyor also for her work with Alun Griffiths (Contractors).

Ian Alberto, from Wallington in Surrey, won the University of Plymouth Industrial Placement Award for his work with BAM Nuttall, with Nicholas Olds, from St Just in Cornwall, winning the equivalent accolade through the University of Bath for his time with host company, Suttle Projects.

Congratulating the winners, Jon Benton, chairman of CECA South West, said that he hoped more young people would carefully consider the exciting career prospects available in civil engineering.

“Infrastructure construction in the south west is growing faster than any other region of England - led by the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station – and, as a result, around 20,000 new jobs will be created over the next five years.

“This opens up lots of different career opportunities for young people, and it’s vital for the health of our regional economy that we excite school leavers and graduates about their prospects in our sector and the rewards on offer.”

The winners received a certificate and cheque for £500, with Chloe receiving a certificate and runner-up cheque for £250.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Colin Bridgman .