The Young Engineers Awards finalists vie for glory

Last year’s Graduate of the Year Francesca James, a consulting engineer at FairHeat

The shortlists have been announced for the prestigious CIBSE Young Engineers Awards, which are taking place at BMA House in London on 10 October.

The individual engineer awards recognise the building services industry’s most talented apprentices, undergraduates and graduates, while the CIBSE Employer of the Year competition rewards those doing the most to develop those who have chosen a career in building services (see here for employer shortlist).

Graduate of the Year
Nine engineers have been shortlisted for the CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year award, now in its 29th year. They will present in front of judges and a live audience on the topic: ‘What do you consider as the main implications for building performance of changing demographics, lifestyles, and the need to keep people safe, healthy, and productive?’

The engineer who is deemed to have given the best presentation will enjoy a fully paid-for trip to the ASHRAE Conference, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, next year. Second place will win a £600 cash prize provided by CIBSE Patrons, and third place will win a £300 cash prize from the Manly Trust.

Apprentice of the Year
The hotly contested Apprentice of the Year is split into Technician Apprentices (level 3-4) and Degree Apprentices (level 5-7).

The awards recognise the valuable skills gained from apprenticeships – practical and relevant work experience.

The shortlisted engineers have been judged on a video presentation, which for Technician Apprentice (level 3-4) answered the question: ‘How can building services engineers build towards the 2050 targets?’ For the Degree Apprentice (level 5-7) award, the question was: ‘What skills are needed to maintain a net zero carbon future?’

Undergraduate of the Year
Previously known as the President’s Prize, the Undergraduate of the Year will be judged on the entrant’s 450-word abstract and three-minute video of their final-year project.  

The award is open to CIBSE student members in their final year of BSc, BEng, MSc and MEng study. It is designed to encourage students to develop potential and strive for excellence. 

First place will win £500, while second and third place will receive £100.

The awards are sponsored by CIBSE Patrons and Eaton. To attend visit www.cibse.org/yea