Member Article

Emily Engineers A Top Career Through Her Perseverance

An ambitious young engineer, who left school at 16 before taking an unlikely route into the construction industry and completing four separate qualifications at Leeds College of Building, has recently scooped a top industry award in recognition of her efforts.

Emily Marner left Sherburn High School after completing her GCSEs and tried her hand at a variety of jobs before her uncle joked that she should join him working on a construction site. To everyone’s surprise, Emily took him up on the offer and after just one day on site, she knew it was the right career for her. Now, almost 10 years on, the 26-year-old has just been named Yorkshire’s Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Young Engineer of the Year.

Back in 2008, Emily secured an Apprenticeship with York based SES Engineering Services, and started a four-year Electrical Apprenticeship at Leeds College of Building. She then completed an 18-month BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in BSE, before completing a HNC and then a HND in Building Services Engineering at the College which she finished earlier this year. Emily is now studying for a BSc (Hons) in Building Services, one day a week at Leeds Beckett University.

Emily says: “During my time at school I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career and I wasn’t particularly academic back then either, which seems ironic looking at the qualifications I’ve completed since. However, after my uncle introduced me to construction and I started going to Leeds College of Building, it became obvious that a construction career was ideal for me. Studying at college one day a week really suited me and this has been key to me completing four courses over the last nine years.

“My employer has always been hugely supportive of my ongoing training as well. I’m now a Project Engineer at SES Engineering Services working on large-scale electrical installations on all types of projects throughout the North of England. I recently spent 18-months overseeing a team of 50 people working on the electrical design and installation on a 565-bedroom student accommodation scheme in Hull, and I’m now involved in a three-year project within the pharmaceutical sector at Barnard Castle.”

Emily adds: “Winning the CIBSE Award is a huge achievement that I’m very proud of. My main aim now is to successfully complete my degree, which will mark the end of my time in education, because five qualifications are enough for anyone!”

Chris Tunningley, Assistant Faculty Director, Leeds College of Building’s Faculty of the Built Environment & Engineering Services, says: “Emily is a fantastic example of what school leavers can achieve once they have completed their GCSEs. Since starting her Apprenticeship in 2008, Emily has simultaneously been earning a wage, completing a range of respected high-level qualifications and carving out a highly successful career, working across all types of high-profile construction projects. She is definitely being rewarded now for all her hard work and thoroughly deserves the success she’s enjoying.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steven Wright .