CIOB student member Shane Evans (above) was last night named overall winner at the 2016 Duke of Gloucester’s Young Achievers Scheme, run by the Construction Youth Trust.
Shane Evans, a property technician with Carmarthenshire County Council, won the Design, Planning and Architecture award, as well as top prize “Winner of Winners”.
Evans is in the penultimate year of his BSc (Hons) in Construction Management and Technology and started off his career in engineering as a toolmaker and then chose a new direction.
Evans lives with the serious medical condition cystic fibrosis, but has excelled in his vocational and academic education, with the judges being impressed by his determination in all areas of his life and never letting his illness get in the way of his ambitions.
"Shane is a formidable ambassador for a creative, practical and proactive approach to problem-solving in new and existing buildings, and even finds time to volunteer and give back to the industry by organising CPD and visits in Wales, and acting as treasurer for the CIOB Novus group."
Young Achievers Scheme judges
Evans has a wide range of responsibilities in the department, including planning and building regulations drawings, design and access statements, feasibility and concept designs.
He is currently involved in the design and management of two of the first fully Passivhaus schools in Wales.
Evans is a very active member of the CIOB Wales branch and is involved in many of its activities, including being treasurer of the Novus committee.
The judges said: “Shane is an inspiring example of a person who manages debilitating health issues on a daily basis through sheer hard work and determination. All the judges found him to be an engaging and knowledgeable individual, with an infectiously positive and optimistic outlook on life.
“Shane is a formidable ambassador for a creative, practical and proactive approach to problem-solving in new and existing buildings, and even finds time to volunteer and give back to the industry by organising CPD and visits in Wales, and acting as treasurer for the CIOB Novus group.”
Evans also encourages other young people who want to have a career in the construction industry by engaging with schools and the organisation Cyfle Building Skills, where he is on the interviewing panels for new recruits to the scheme.
Other winners on the night included Paige Finnerty, of Mace, in the Construction Delivery category, Kristina Scheibler Frood, of Aecom, in the Engineering category, Tes Adamou, Arcadis, for Project Management, and Amy Bracey from Hartnell Taylor Cook for Surveying.
As well as the CIOB, the awards were sponsored by CITB, KPMG, Aecom, Arcadis and Atkins.
The winners each receive a cash prize and a package of support through the Trust, including a one-year mentoring programme to enable them to make an even greater impact in their future careers.
What an amazing inspiration. Honours like this should be eligible for straight Membership. Well done good sir.