‘Skills for the Future’- Young Water Dragons
initiative wins coveted Water Industry People Award
We are delighted to share the exciting news that Future Water Association has won the Water Industry ‘People Initiative of the Year’ Award, for its Skills for the Future – Young Water Dragons program. The Award was presented to Martyn Hopkinson, Future Water Association’s Director of Operations, at the Water Industry achievements event, ahead of Utility Week Live.
Less than two years old, this initiative links into Engineering UK’s Big Bang STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) event and aims to get young people interested and excited about working in the water sector. Schools across the UK are eligible to enter a project showing creativity and imagination on any aspect of the water sector. The aim of the competition is to encourage schools and young people to think differently about water, whilst developing projects and new ideas which challenge our current thinking.
What the Water Industry Award judges said:
“At a time when the number of engineers in this country is dangerously low, this initiative is helping to develop the next generation of water industry leaders. It’s laudable, inspiring for young people and we look forward to seeing the results in years to come.
Paul Horton, Chief Executive Officer at Future Water Association commented:
“This is recognition that our skills for the future programme is right for industry, helps to encourage new thinking about the water sector and increase our engagement with the next generation, particularly as we face the challenge of half the people working in our industry reaching retirement age within the next 8 years!”
Alastair Moseley, Chair of Innovation at Future Water Association added:
“It is fantastic to be recognised and we thank all of the companies and organisations who have helped us start this initiative, working with the next generation is the way forward for our sector. Over the past two years I have been lucky enough to award prizes to two fantastic school teams, both demonstrating new thinking and creativity. Going forward I would like to see this programme supported by hundreds of companies across our sector and have a competition where hundreds of schools participate. Winning this award will certainly help us with achieving this goal”
The winners of the 2018 Skills For The Future – Young Water Dragons competition were a team of entrepreneurial of young minds from Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast with their project entitled LifeBlock. The team created a concept to send aid to developing countries that have experienced natural disasters, particularly flooding. Once the flooding has been contained, the Lifeblock can then be used to build suitable housing and other buildings.
The winning students received a cash prize and a work experience day at Northern Ireland Water, with Chief Executive Officer Sara Venning and her team.
Discover more about Young Water Dragons
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Find out more about 2018 Young Water Dragons Winners
Sarah Venning, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Ireland Water presenting the Future Water Association Young Water Dragons Award to the winning team from Grosvenor Grammar School
Big Bang Fair host Maddie Moate, Alastair Moseley & Paul Horton,Future Water Association & the winners of the 2018 Young Water Dragons – Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast
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