The awards, held in Leeds on 15 June 2022, acknowledged the inspirational talent coming into the industry and recognised the benefits of supporting them at an early stage. 13 students took part in the regional awards this year, representing disciplines including engineering, architecture, surveying and planning.
Faye Durkin, Regional Director and Head of Ecology at Ecus and Chair of Women in Property Yorkshire & North East branch, said:
"With the industry suffering a skills shortage and with increasing demand for sustainable new housing, commercial development and infrastructure, there is stiff competition for new, skilled people, to help deliver these projects. Our awards programme works with universities across the region, seeking out their brightest and best students. Employers then get to meet them at the awards event, ahead of the competition, when we announce our regional winners. It’s a ‘win-win’, both for business and the students.
We encourage our sponsors and local businesses to get behind the students, with work placements, or simply just keeping in touch, offering advice and guidance as they approach their careers. This sort of connection is extremely motivating and confidence-building for the students, and works well for potential employers, who get to know them before possibly offering them a job on graduation."Faye Durkin
Regional Director and Head of Ecology
Because of its wide geographic reach, the Yorkshire & North East judging panels were held over two days, and included our Managing Director, Kit Hawkins. The two winners are:
- Joanna Tarvet, studying Architecture & Landscape at the University of Sheffield. The judges described her as ‘very socially aware, she is a role model and ambassador, very passionate’.
- Anna Maw, studying Geography & Planning at Newcastle University. The judges described her as being “impressive on paper and in person, her presentation was informed and engaging, she is very knowledgeable and passionate”
Two further students, Niamh Ashley, studying Architecture at Leeds Beckett University and Shannon Goss studying Architecture at the University of Sheffield were awarded Highly Commended.
The National Awards programme was established in 2008 to seek out the top built environment students each year and raise awareness to the many amazing and diverse career opportunities offered across the industry.
