The 12th annual ECI Training and Development Awards recognised three rising stars for their achievements in the nuclear sector.
Monika Czyz-Grzesik, Lewis White and Toby Highstead each picked up an award at a prestigious ceremony in London to honour the very best of engineering construction talent.
The event, organised by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), brought together industry leaders, as well as the rising stars of tomorrow, for a celebration of excellence in training and development.
Held at One Marylebone in the heart of the capital, the event was hosted by Chinwe Odili, a STEM champion and award-winning structural engineer.
The ECI Training and Development Awards 2024 were held at One Marylebone
Monika, who works for Cavendish Nuclear as a trade labourer for the MEH Alliance on Hinkley Point C nuclear site, was named ECITB New Entrant of the Year.
The submission for the award highlighted how Monika demonstrated resilience and tenacity after moving to the UK from Poland.
The 38-year-old, who is mother to 10-year-old twins, studied in evenings via flexible delivery to complete the Hinkley Support Operative Bronze Programme – a collaborative training programme between the ECITB and EDF to prepare new entrants to the industry to work on the nuclear power station site in Somerset.
Judges recognised how she excelled during her time on the project and noted her passion for championing the industry to women and mothers.
Monika said:
“Winning the award is really motivating. I can see all that hard work was worthwhile.
“I was working in a school canteen to fit around school hours to help take care of my children, but when they reached the age of nine a year ago I decided to move back to a career path and try something new. That’s why I decided to give it a go with Hinkley Point C. I can say it was the best decision of my life, it’s been great.
“At first, I didn’t believe in my capabilities, but the HSO Programme, EDF and all the people on the project have really helped me.
“I was a bit hesitant at first, but it’s been great as a woman working in the nuclear industry and I want to encourage other females to give it a go. I want to speak to other females to encourage them to go back to work and Hinkley Point is a good place to start.”
Lewis, who is a Level 3 Apprentice Project Controls Technician at Wigan project consultancy Herne Group, was named Apprentice of the Year.
He was recognised by the judges as a “great ambassador” for both the company and wider industry for his dedication, proactive attitude and one-team mindset through his outstanding contributions to major project reporting processes.
The 20-year-old from Rochdale utilised new skills developed alongside his apprenticeship to turn a work placement into a billable role, creating a significant reporting dashboard for a major nuclear decommissioning project.
Lewis said:
“I joined Herne with zero knowledge of the project area, but I thought I had the skills to be a project controller which is what pushed me to go for that. The support that I’ve had has made it a lot easier to transition going into a profession with little knowledge to where I am today winning an award.
“I didn’t think I’d be working with clients like I have this early in my career, but I’m really proud to have done so and it’s been really interesting.”
Toby, who is a mechanical engineer at Amentum in Warrington and graduated with a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leicester, picked up the Graduate of the Year award.
He joined Jacobs in September 2022 and spent two years as a graduate mechanical engineer working in the north of Scotland on Dounreay in the nuclear decommissioning sector, engaging in project planning, design and implementation. The firm merged with Amentum in September this year.
The 24-year-old was recognised by the judges for his technical prowess, innovative problem-solving, leadership, dedication to community and environmental stewardship.
The award submission highlighted how his innovative contributions have strengthened client relations and enhanced project efficiency and accuracy significantly, exemplified by his use of AI and creation of a custom code using ChatGPT.
Toby said:
“I was told when I was younger that I would never become an engineer, so I am over the moon to have been recognised for what I have achieved.
“This is only the start of my career. I can only see it going further from here. Winning means a lot to me. It shows the passion I have for this industry.”
Awards were presented to winners across nine categories at a ceremony that is now an established highlight in the engineering construction industry’s (ECI) calendar.
As well as each category being sponsored, the drinks and entertainment were sponsored by Bechtel and Kingsfield Academy respectively, while the dinner was sponsored by Hinkley Point C.
Philippa Burt, HR Director at Hinkley Point C, said:
“Hinkley Point C is a catalyst for long-term growth in the engineering construction industry and will leave a legacy of a more skilled and productive workforce that gives the region, and the wider UK, a competitive edge as it delivers the UK’s ambitions for energy security and net zero.
“The huge team involved in building the power station understand the critical importance of training and development and we are delighted to play a small part in shining a spotlight on the outstanding work taking place in the sector by attendees at the awards.”
Apprentice of the Year winner Lewis White, right, at the ECI Training and Development Awards
ECITB New Entrant winner Monika Czyz-Grzesik, right, at the ECI Training and Development
Graduate of the Year Award Toby Highstead, right, at the ECI Training & Development Awards
ECI Training & Development Awards 2024: Winners and finalists
Apprentice of the Year Award – sponsored by the National College for Nuclear
Winner: Lewis White (The Herne Group)
Finalists: Lucy Jarvis (Sellafield Ltd), Harvey Bennett (CATCH / TEI)
Graduate of the Year Award – sponsored by BCECA
Winner: Toby Highstead (Amentum, formerly Jacobs CMS)
Finalists: Harry Venn (WSP), Jasmine Sagoo (AtkinsRéalis)
The ECITB New Entrant Award – sponsored by Wright Brothers Industrial Services Limited
Winner: Monika Czyz-Grzesik (Cavendish Nuclear, part of the MEH Alliance working at HPC)
Finalists: Paul Alp (Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA) / Altrad), Luke Roberts (Pembrokeshire College / Haven Engineering)
Large Employer of the Year – sponsored by Nuvia
Winner: Wood
Finalists: Applus+ UK Ltd, EDF
Small/Medium Employer of the Year – sponsored by EqualEngineers
Winner: Wright Brothers Industrial Services Limited
Finalists: A&L Mechanical Installations Ltd, Intelect
ED&I Initiative of the Year – sponsored by NDA
Winner: Fluor Limited
Finalists: Dyer & Butler ENABLE Network, Grief Awareness Community – Cadent Gas Ltd
Training Organisation of the Year – sponsored by GSS Training Limited
Winner: CATCH – Welding and Pipefitting Hub
Finalists: Enermech Ltd, Hydratight Ltd
Leading Industry Safety Award – sponsored by Sellafield Ltd
Winner: Fluor Limited
Finalists: Hinkley Point C (Part of EDF Energy), Wright Brothers Industrial Services
International Training Organisation of the Year
Winner: Hydratight (Middle East and Caspian)
Finalists and regional winners: International Apprenticeship & Competency Academy Ltd (IACA) (East Africa and Rest of World), PT Petrotekno (Asia Pacific)
Find out more about the ECI Training and Development Awards 2024 here.
