This award celebrates the achievements of CIHT’s apprentices working within the highways and transportation sector, and the organisations that put them at the heart of their business. We are pleased to announce we received outstanding applications from young professionals all over the UK.

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said:

Our National Apprentice of the Year Award recognises the astounding talent and value that apprentices bring to the sector and highlights their importance in our industry. The award reflects the commitment of industry leaders who are putting apprenticeship skills and training at the core of their businesses to create a pipeline of sector professionals.

The shortlisted apprentices represent a cross range of professional disciplines from all over the UK. All are determined and energetic in wanting to make a difference in their chosen field. It is encouraging to see such a strong response from our dedicated apprentices and from employers demonstrating their commitment to growing expertise and inclusivity through apprentices.

The eight shortlisted apprentices are:

• Jared Humphries, Civil Engineering Apprentice, FM Conway
• Owen Smith, Apprentice Project Manager, Kier Group
• Katrina Ho, Degree Apprentice Civil Engineering, Atkins
• Joe Lungley, Apprentice Transport Planner, Jacobs
• Jordan O’Loughlin, Apprentice Transport Planning Technician, WSP
• Jemma Pearse, Apprentice Transport Planner, Jacobs
• Jack Smith, Apprentice Engineer, Arup
• Cameron Lafferty, Highways Technician, Amey

The judging panel is comprised of Martin Tugwell, President, CIHT and Programme Director, England’s Economic Heartland, Catherine de Marco, Deputy Director at the Department for Transport (DfT) and Erin Ruddy, CIHT National Apprentice of the Year winner 2018.

The shortlisted candidates will now be put forward for the final competition where they will be asked to demonstrate how they have made a difference and a positive impact in highways and transportation through meeting the following criteria:

1. Managing Change - how they have embraced the challenge of a demanding work placement and study programme in the changing landscape of highways and transportation.
   
   
2. Commitment & Contribution - Going above and beyond the expectation of their roles on one or more projects or initiatives.
   
   
3. Future - Identifying the attributes that will enable their future success in the industry and inspire others to follow a similar route.

The winner will be announced at CIHT's Young Professionals Conference 2019 in Manchester on Thursday 14 November. Find out more about the conference here.