28/10/2011 - Youngsters nominated for construction awards

Two young people have been recognised as being amongst the ‘best in the construction industry’ having been shortlisted for the prestigious Duke of Gloucester Young Achievers Scheme.

The awards, organised by Construction Youth Trust with the support of their Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, aims to identify and celebrate the success of exceptional young professionals working in the built environment.

The two young professionals, Matt Graham (Under-graduate Quantity Surveyor) and Will Chambers (Under-graduate Construction Management) are employed by Midland’s based company Thomas Vale Construction who are currently undertaking some £250million worth of work in partnership with major private and public sector Clients across the region.

In the first year of event, the youngsters have been short-listed from over 300 applicants to the top 5 in their respective categories in the country.

Matt Graham added: “To be nominated by my senior’s within the business is humbling. I am exceptionally proud to be able to represent both the company and young people within the industry at the awards on the evening. These kinds of awards demonstrate that the traditional image of construction is changing and I want to ensure that young people are offered the same opportunities I have been given and work with some of the best people in the sector.”

Will Chambers added: “I am excited to be able to attend these awards alongside my colleagues to highlight that construction is accessible for all young people, regardless of your abilities or background. To have been shortlisted from hundreds of applicants from across the country is a fantastic opportunity and I hope that future generations of young people from across the Midlands are given the opportunity to be ‘excited’ about the built environment.”

The awards promote the professions to young people of all social backgrounds and, as a result, increase the number and diversity of entrants into the sector. The judges have been looking for young people who have achieved excellence in their career to date, perhaps overcome barriers or social disadvantage, had an impact of their company, gone that extra mile to promote construction as a career or helped others in the wider community.

Tony Hyde, Group Managing Director commented: “The commitment that these young people have demonstrated to their professional duties has been outstanding. And whilst these awards recognise that – they also look for that ‘little something extra’. Both have continued to support on-going initiatives that highlight the promotion of construction to young people as well as committing their own time and skills to corporate social responsibility activities. As a business, we are very proud of all of our young people and under-graduates and hope to continue to train and develop some of the brightest young stars in the sector.”

The winners are announced on the 24^th November at the awards ceremony being held at Whitehall, London. Winners of each of the four main categories have the chance to be mentored by a senior industry figure for a year.