The Nuclear Institute awarded prizes to Natalie Baines, Mathew McKay and Lynsay Kelly, last weekend, as upcoming young people in the nuclear industry.
Natalie Baines was selected as winner of the NI Young Technician/Apprentice Award as a rising star in the industry and for displaying excellence in her role at Nuvia Ltd.
She said: "I am honoured to receive such an award in a highly challenging industry. I hope that this achievement will further inspire others who wish to pursue a career within the Nuclear Industry and in Engineering."
Natalie is also helping to mentor others as she progresses in her career.
Nuvia's Chief Executive Officer, Keith Collett, said: “We are exceptionally proud of Natalie; she is a hugely driven individual who consistently demonstrates her passion for engineering. In addition to her full time role and studies, Natalie has been an excellent advocate for female engineers, positively promoting apprenticeships and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) to young people and careers within the nuclear industry."
NI President Tim Chittenden presenting Natalie Baines with the NI Young Technician/Apprentice Award at the NIA NI Annual Dinner 2014.
Mathew McKay received the NI Young Professionals Award for the success he has achieved in the last ten years since beginning his career at Rolls-Royce Plc.
Mat joined the company as an apprentice in 2004 and has rapidly progressed through the organisation in increasingly senior roles as part of the Engineering High Potential Scheme.
Mat said: "I’m hugely honoured to be selected as the Nuclear Institute’s Young Professional for 2014. Throughout my ten year career at Rolls-Royce I’ve been given vast opportunities to develop and progress my career in the nuclear sector, whilst allowing me to truly embed the key principles of the Nuclear Delta in my approach to day-to-day life.
"My message to those in the early stage of their nuclear journey is that with the right focus, ambition and mentorship there are no limits to how far you can take your career in this exciting industry."
Both Mat and Natalie were presented with certificates for their awards by NI President Tim Chittenden at the NIA NI Annual Dinner on Thursday evening 4th December.
Mathew Kelly was given the NI Young Professionals Award at the NIA NI Annual Dinner 2014.
Lynsay Kelly collected the annual Jack Edwards Prize at the Sellafield Excellence Awards Dinner on Friday 5th December which was awarded to her for outstanding performance in her role as a control systems engineer at Sellafield.
Lynsay said: "It was overwhelming to find out that I had won the Jack Edwards prize, I was so happy when I got the news.
"I am thankful to Sellafield for supporting me through my personal development and it's great to see my hard work paying off. I feel, with the support of the company, I have put myself at an advantage early on in my career."
Lynsay Kelly receiving the Jack Edwards Prize at the Sellafield Excellence Awards Dinner 2014.
Success clearly runs in the family as Lynsay's sister Stephanie, also at Sellafield Ltd, won Apprentice of the Year at this year's Golden Apple Awards.
Dave Atkinson, Head of Sitewide Services at Sellafield Ltd, said: "Lynsay is now considered an essential part of the control system team supporting the safe decommissioning of some of the highest hazard facilities on the site. In addition to this she has also mentored a team of apprentices during national Women in Engineering week, and is considered an inspirational role model for our own apprentices. Well Done!"
The Jack Edwards Prize has been awarded to outstanding individuals since 2004, whereas the NI Young Technician/Apprentice Award and the NI Young Professional Award are both new for 2014.
Mark Lyons, Trustee and NI E&T Chairman said: “The NI is committed to promoting nuclear professionalism, and these awards selected from entries by Employers and Training Providers and judged by the NI E&T Committee, seek to identify the rising stars of the UK nuclear industry; not just with technical achievements but have demonstrated the core behaviours of the Nuclear Delta in their day-to-day working."
Find out more about NI Awards