The Institution of Civil Engineers South West (ICE) has awarded four QUEST Technician Scholarships to promising future technicians in Devon.
The QUEST Technician Scholarship provides financial support for engineering students in further or higher education, whilst they are also obtaining technical and practical engineering experience with employers.
The Queen’s Jubilee Scholarship Trust (QUEST) was set up in 1977 to support and encourage education in civil engineering. The awards are associated with excellence, looking for those with an aptitude for teamwork, leadership skills and ambition. The selection process for these awards is very competitive and attracts high-calibre applicants.
The successful candidates, all working in Devon, were chosen from a record number of entrants for this year’s QUEST Scholarships. The standard of entries was extremely high, with entrants from all over the South West applying. The four scholars all excelled in their interviews and displayed a knowledge of the Institution and a keenness to promote civil engineering to others.
Kelly Jeffery, from Exeter, is a Highways Technician for Parsons Brinckerhoff and part-time student at Exeter College. She has a great passion for engineering, having wanted to be a civil engineer since a young age. Kelly plans to use the Scholarship to help her learn and develop as a civil engineer of the future.
She said: “As technology improves, civil engineers are at the forefront, leading the way. I hope I can use my knowledge and skills to be part of this and help to shape the future. I will thrive on the opportunity to be an ambassador for ICE and am very grateful for the Scholarship.”
Tobias Lee, from Ashburton, is an Apprentice Engineer for Teignbridge District Council and a part-time student at Exeter College. He plans to use the Scholarship to help him gain the knowledge and experience to achieve his immediate goal of becoming a Technician member.
Tobias commented: “This award will make such a difference to me. I have an ambition to really make a difference to the civil engineering profession, and I hope that the extra support from ICE will help me to further my career and work towards my ultimate goal of achieving Chartered status.”
Mason Edwards, from Plymouth, is a Trainee Engineer for Kier Infrastructure and Overseas, studying part-time at City College Plymouth. The Scholarship means that Mason will gain the recognition he wants through ICE and give him the ability to further his knowledge outside of his HNC work.
He commented: “This award will benefit me greatly. I receive training on the job, but I will now be able to use the Scholarship to attend other courses and really widen the boundaries of my professional development.”
Thomas Spiller, from Ivybridge, is a Junior Technician for John Grimes Partnership and student at City College Plymouth. He is using the Scholarship to help him complete his education to a high standard, which will give Thomas the ability to develop his career in civil engineering.
He said: “I am delighted to have been chosen to receive the QUEST Technician Scholarship. It will really benefit my studies, as I intend to purchase a laptop for assignment studies and also to build up a library of books rather than just loaning from the library.”
Regional Director, Trish Johnson, was on the judging panel for the awards. She said: “QUEST Scholarships are awarded to those achieving and striving for the highest standards,. All four scholars have shown a great enthusiasm for engineering and using the Scholarship to aid them in their studies.
“We are pleased to announce that the awards have been given to four deserving students in the South West and wish them the best with their studies and future careers in civil engineering.”