Employers working in the property and construction sector had a unique opportunity to meet some of the most talented built environment undergraduates in the region, and hear from Sophie Howe, the future generations commissioner for Wales, at the Women in Property South Wales Student Awards held recently in Cardiff. Seven students took part in the regional Awards this year, representing disciplines including engineering, architecture, surveying and planning.
Georgia Thomson, Chair of Women in Property South Wales branch, said: “With the industry suffering a skills shortage and with increasing demand for sustainable new housing, commercial development and infrastructure, there is stiff competition for new, skilled people, to help deliver these projects.
“Our Awards programme works with Universities across the region, seeking out their brightest and best students. Employers then get to meet them at the Awards event, ahead of the competition, when we announce our regional winners. It’s a ‘win win’, both for Business and the students.”
Local firm, The Urbanists Planning & Design, sponsor the South Wales Student Awards, acknowledging the inspirational talent coming into the industry and recognising the benefits of supporting them at an early stage. The South Wales branch, sponsored by Englobe UK and Galliford Try, also announced their partnership with Cardiff based homeless charity, Llamau during the awards evening.
“We encourage our sponsors and local businesses to get behind the students, with work placements, or simply just keeping in touch, offering advice and guidance as they approach their careers,” said Georgia.
“This sort of connection is extremely motivating and confidence-building for the students, and works well for potential employers, who get to know them before possibly offering them a job on graduation.”
The 2022 South Wales Student Awards winner is Kathryn Stuckey, studying Construction Project Management at the University of South Wales. The judges described Kathryn as “prepared, confident, engaging, enthusiastic and committed, she gave a very clear presentation.”
The National Awards programme, sponsored by Amazon, Bouygues, Savills and tp bennett nationally, was established in 2008 to seek out the top built environment students each year and raise awareness to the many amazing and diverse career opportunities offered across this industry. Regionally, each 2nd year student is nominated by her University, submits a piece of coursework and then goes before a judging panel in March.
Each of the winners receives a £500 cash prize, a trophy and the opportunity to take part in Women in Property’s mentoring programme. The final judging panel for 2022 will be held in London on 20th September, when Kathryn will compete with 13 other students for the top, national Award. This will be followed that evening by the national Best of Best Dinner at Claridge’s, when the winner will be announced.
