Global Engineering Medal Awarded to Leeds College of Building Degree Student

Global Engineering Medal Awarded to Leeds College of Building Degree Student The 2024 Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Jean Venables Medal for newly qualified engineering technicians has been awarded to a Leeds College of Building Apprentice. Davey Wallace, currently a Level 6 Civil Engineering Site Management Degree Apprentice at BAM/EKFB, received the Medal and a £1,000 cash prize at the ICE Annual Awards Ceremony on 11th October 2024.

Davey began his career as a Level 4 Construction Site Engineering Technician Apprenticeship in September 2021 and completed his End Point Assessment (EngTECH MICE) in January 2023. He was nominated for the award by his ICE EPA Reviewers and shortlisted as one of three finalists before a review panel at the ICE headquarters in central London (Great George Street) confirmed his achievement.

The global award is open to all candidates who pass their Technician Professional Review in the year preceding the awards. The Medal celebrates the best performance by a newly qualified ICE Technician Member and was created in the name of Dr Jean Venables CBE - a Chartered Civil Engineer and Chartered Environmentalist who became the 144th President of ICE in 2008.

Dr Venables was the first woman to hold the office of president in the history of the Institution – now a centre of engineering excellence that qualifies engineers and oversees a network of experts. Today, ICE is a 98,000-strong global membership organisation with over 200 years of history.

Judges were impressed by how Davey demonstrated himself as an outstanding candidate in all technical aspects of his role working onsite, delivering elements of HS2. Davey also showed an immense enthusiasm and drive for civil engineering and is a great ambassador for the Institution of Civil Engineers. Davey said, "I feel honoured to have been awarded with the Jean Venables Medal. I feel it is a testament to the merit of work-based learning in parallel with academic supplementation. I thank the ICE for propelling my professional development and recognising my passion for this fantastic profession. “I also must thank my colleagues and mentors who have helped me develop from someone with no site experience to the Engineer I am today. However, this is only the beginning of my journey, I look forward to continuing my progression in my career and through the ICE."

Vicky Patterson, Curriculum Manager for Technical & Professional Apprenticeships at Leeds College of Building, said:

“It is incredible news that another of our apprentices has won this prestigious award. Huge congratulations go to Davey for this international recognition, and to the whole college team and staff at BAM who supported Davey through the apprenticeship programme. This really demonstrates the incredible calibre of apprentices that complete Leeds College of Building programmes.”

This is the second time a Leeds College of Building degree apprentice has won the ICE Jean Venables Medal. In 2022, the Medal went to Kayla Browne, who worked for three years on the Thames Tideway Tunnel with BAM Nuttall as part of the BMB Joint Venture.

Andrea Fisher, Early Careers & Professional Development Manager UK at BAM UK&I, said: “The Early Careers team is very proud of Davey's success as the ICE Jean Venables Award winner of 2024. Davey thoroughly deserves this award for his hard work, dedication, and passion for professional development. He is a great role model and inspiration to future apprentices wanting to join the civil engineering industry.”

Stephen Gray, Head of Engineering Development UK at BAM Nuttall/BAM UK&I, added: “As the company’s Lead Supervising Civil Engineer, I’d like to congratulate Davey in this fantastic achievement. The Jean Venables Medal is awarded to the best Engineering Technician review in each calendar year, so is industry wide recognition for all the hard work Davey has put into his work at EKFB. Davey’s passion for civil engineering comes across when he talks about his experiences and I’m sure the judging panel would’ve been enthralled during his presentation.”

Around 250 students are currently enrolled on Civil Engineering training programmes at Leeds College of Building. Over the last five years, higher-level courses have grown to represent a significant proportion of College’s provision. Approximately 80% of delivery in the University Centre now covers Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships, Higher, and Degree Apprenticeships.

Find out more about civil engineering and other courses at the next Leeds College of Building Open Event: Saturday, 16 November, 10am – 1pm

South Bank Campus Register to attend here.