We would like to Congratulate Lauren Cunningham who is employed by WSP in Manchester, as she has been awarded the STEGTA Excellence Award for Outstanding Performance in Civil Engineering. Lauren is pictured here with STEGTA Training Officer Emile Katona.
We asked Lauren how she felt about winning the award:
“I chose a career within Civil Engineering, after being introduced to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in year 8. I studied this as an afterschool curricular activity for 2 years. Although I didn’t originally enjoy STEM, as it was so different from anything I had ever been involved with, I began to love the subject, so much so I opted for DEC (Design, Engineer, Construct) at GCSE. I really enjoy the problem solving aspect of my job and I knew that a career within this sector would be well suited for me”.

“I have received a huge amount of support whilst undertaking my Apprenticeship. I have had regular, monthly meetings with my STEGTA Training Officer, Emile Katona, to achieve my NVQ, which I completed within 8 months. However, to demonstrate the skills required in the NVQ I had to ensure I was working on a variety of tasks to meet these requirements. My employer supported me continuously, ensuring I was allocated tasks which met the attributes”.

“I am particularly proud to have been involved in such a variety of projects from such a young age, including working on Britain’s longest road, the A1. However, my biggest achievement so far is presenting at the House of Lords, followed by undertaking my EngTech review. In the near future I will be studying a Civil Engineering Degree part time, before looking further ahead where my aim is to become a Chartered Engineer”.

“I would like to thank STEGTA for all their help and I am delighted to have achieved this award”.

Emile commented: “A huge Congratulations to Lauren Cunningham of WSP who has been awarded the STEGTA Excellence Award for Outstanding Performance in Civil Engineering. Lauren joined WSP (previously Mouchel) in August 2016 and became an apprentice with STEGTA. She started her BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment within Salford College”

“From the start Lauren has always been keen to move quickly with her targets. Every task she was given, she completed it within the required timescale and the quality of her work was well planned, very neat, and she recognises the importance of adhering to design/ drawing standards. She is able to listen and follow the instruction when required”.

“I have selected Lauren for this award as I personally feel she has excelled with her Apprenticeship, she conducts herself professionally and achieved this NVQ qualification early in such detail. Lauren is polite, respectful and is an absolute pleasure to work with. Her knowledge and experience within work is growing due to the help and guidance of her department and line manager Jonathan Giles, and she is progressing very well within the WSP. Well done Lauren on this fantastic achievement!”