An apprenticeship category was included for the first time in 2020 and this year’s awards event includes separate recognition for Apprentice of the Year – Technician (Level 3-4), and Apprentice of the Year - Degree (level 5-7). The move supports the overall strategy of the Institution to better recognise the range of routes into the industry and to celebrate emerging talent.

Megan Whitbread, an apprentice electrical engineer at Troup Bywaters + Anders was the first winner of the CIBSE Apprentice of the Year award.

Demonstrating a passion for the industry, effective communication and the ability to inspire, in her entry video she described building services engineering as an exceptional career where you ‘can make a difference in so many ways’.

The Apprentice of the Year award, together with the Graduate of the Year award and Employer of the Year award, form the CIBSE Young Engineers Awards which are now open for entry.

CIBSE President, Kevin Kelly said “The future of our profession lies in the hands of new recruits. Creating safe, healthy, carbon-neutral and climate-supporting cities of tomorrow will only be possible if exceptional new talent is recognised and supported – and this talent will emerge from multiple routes and backgrounds that must be welcomed into an inclusive and diverse culture”.

With categories for small, medium and large companies, the Employer Award looks for demonstration of how young engineers are placed at the centre of the business and of investment in career progression. Clear inclusive strategies for recruiting, nurturing and empowering young people are the critical factors.

The CIBSE ASHRAE Group Graduate Award challenges finalists to show off their presentation skills on a given topic in front of a panel of industry judges.

Any engineer who has graduated in a building services-related field, either under or post-graduate, in the past two years is eligible to take part.

The CIBSE Young Engineers Awards 2021 will take place online on 14 October.

They are delivered in partnership with CIBSE Patrons and sponsored by Ideal Heating, ACV and Swegon.