The Karen Burt Award nominations are now open. This award is presented annually to a newly-chartered woman of a high calibre in engineering, applied science or IT, who has demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of her profession. The chosen candidate must have been awarded chartered status within 16 months after 1 March 2021 and can only be nominated once. For more information see attached.

Once you have selected your nomination please direct them to submit their application via the WES Zealous Awards Portal at https://www.zealous.co/wes1919/opportunity/Karen-Burt-Memorial-Award/  where they will need to create an account and complete the submission process.

This should be done as soon as a selection has been made, and with sufficient time to enable the candidate to meet the deadline of 30 June 2022. The Institution should inform the Women’s Engineering Society of their chosen candidate as soon as possible, so that WES can liaise directly with the candidate to ensure that the nomination is made on time.

The candidate must submit a headshot and may also submit up to three photographs or drawings and up to two hyperlinks to support her application. The application form requires detailed responses to the following questions, which she may wish to prepare in advance.

  • Please outline a project which contributed to your Chartership, your role in the project, and the reasons why you have chosen this project as part of your submission (800 words)
  • Please state ways in which you have been active in promoting women in engineering (500 words)
  • Please outline your professional plans and aspirations for your future (200 words)
  • Please provide a third-person biography for use on the WES website to accompany your nomination (150 words)
  • Additional information for consideration by the judging panel (200 words)

 

Three finalists will be notified by 8 August 2022 and will be invited to attend an Awards Ceremony at the WES Annual Dinner on the 22 September 2022. The winner will be invited to give a presentation of her chartership work at the Caroline Haslett Lecture in December 2022.

To download an application form click here. We look forward to receiving your nomination.

The Science Council’s CPD Awards are back for 2022 to continue the celebration of outstanding CPD.

The CPD Awards are designed to celebrate outstanding professional development in science, showcasing examples of good practice and continuous improvement. They celebrate the professional development efforts and achievements of registrants across the four Science Council registers: Registered Science Technician (RSciTech), Registered Scientist (RSci), Chartered Scientist (CSci) and Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach).

CPD Awards Ceremony

This year the award ceremony will be back in person as part of the Science Council’s Celebration of Science event on Monday 21 November 2022 18:30-21:00, in London. The award ceremony will take place alongside the 2022 Roberts Lecture. (https://sciencecouncil.org/policy-public-affairs/the-roberts-lectures/)

The Gareth Roberts Lecture is held every two years in honour of the organisation’s founding president. A high-profile speaker (to be announced soon) will deliver a thought-provoking presentation on an issue that impacts scientists and their application of science.

Recognise your outstanding skills

If you hold a Science Council professional registration award, recognise your own outstanding work and skill set and nominate yourself for an award!

For guidance on how to apply see the Science Council’s website. (https://sciencecouncil.org/web/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/For-Entrants-CPD-Awards-Guidance-Booklet-2022.pdf)

Nominations are open from Wednesday 25th May until Sunday 17th July.

Apply here. (https://sciencecounciluk3.smapply.io/prog/science_council_cpd_awards_/)

Read about the 2021 CPD Awards winners and commendations on the Science Council website. (https://sciencecouncil.org/registrants/cpd-awards-2021-top-tips/)

It is no coincidence that when it comes to filling permanent vacancies, UK employers have consistently voted engineering and technical in the top three most challenging functions.

The Eastern Area of the Institute of Water want to change that perception, get people to proudly embrace the engineering in their work and start that discussion on what it means to be an engineer.

We want to hear your experience of what it is like to be an engineer, in any format, including but not limited to a video, a photo or a series of photos or a poster. What is your day like in the life of an engineer?

The intended audience is of your choice so it can be for primary school ages, young water professionals, peers etc. Just make sure you include your intended audience in your application.

Can I Enter?
•            Submit an entry showing us what a day in the life of an engineer looks like for you
•            Am I an Engineer? Engineering is the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures. If you consider yourself an engineer (whether that’s as a technician, an apprentice or in any branch of science), then that is good enough for us!
•            You do not have to be based in the Eastern Area
•            You do have to be a member of the Institute of Water
•            Submission deadline 5pm 13/06/22

How to apply
Send your name, job title, intended audience and an attachment of your entry in your desired format to Grace Wilson at GWilson3@anglianwater.co.uk.

The winner of this competition will obtain the coveted 2022 Water Engineering Award and a complementary ticket to the WCE Awards Celebratory Dinner including meal and drinks on 14th July 2022 at the beautiful Guildhall in London (travel costs / accommodation to be covered by winner).

The winner will be announced at the YWP Pint of Water event on 16th July 2022 as well as being contacted by email. Winning entries will be displayed on social media. Please note, to enter this competition you are allowing the Institute of Water to publish your material on social media.

This event is sponsored by Worshipful Company of Engineers, a modern livery company of senior, leading engineers from industry and academia representing the full diversity of today’s engineering; a fellowship which aims to enhance the future engineering wellbeing of the nation.

The annual SocEnv Awards has once again resulted in an inspirational list of finalists, with the winners set to be announced at a virtual celebration event on the 8th June.

The Society for the Environment (SocEnv) is delighted to announce the highly deserving finalists of the prestigious 2022 SocEnv Awards. There are two awards up for grabs:
2022 Environmental Professional of the Year
Highlighting the very best work of Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP) and Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) registrants.
2022 Registrant Newcomer of the Year
Shining a light on professionals who have really hit the ground running having achieved REnvP, REnvTech or CEnv registration since the start of 2021.
The finalists were selected from an array of high calibre nominations, received for environmental professionals working in energy, agriculture, environmental management, water supply, transport, resources and waste, chemical engineering, the built environment, and more. Nominees also ranged from freelance to Directors working for multinational consultancies.
The Judging Panel confirmed the finalists for the 2022 SocEnv Awards are as follows:

2022 Environmental Professional of the Year 

Stephanie McGibbon CEnv
Director, Arup
Registered via Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

Professor Russell Thomas CEnv
Technical Director, WSP UK Ltd
Registered via the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)

Becky Toal CEnv
Managing Director, Crowberry Consulting Ltd
Registered via Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

2022 Registrant Newcomer of the Year 

Abigail Dombey CEnv
Energy & Sustainability Engineer, Net Zero Associates
Registered via the Energy Institute

Paul Field CEnv
Environmental & Compliance (ESG) Manager, Janus International Europe Ltd
Registered via Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

Carol Johnson CEnv
Agricultural Consultant, Hexham and Northern Rural
Registered via the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM)

Join us to discover the winners and more
The winners will be revealed as part of a free online celebration event on Wednesday 8th June 2022. Please register your attendance here.
The event will also see Dale Vince OBE recognised as an Honorary Fellow of the Society for the Environment (HonFSE), and Professor Ian Barker HonFSE CEnv providing a topical lecture on the vital role environmental professionals play in protecting our planet. More speakers are to be announced.
Chair of the SocEnv Awards judging panel, Dougal Driver CEnv, said: “The annual SocEnv Awards event is always a highlight in the calendar. It’s a real celebration of the environmental professional community – recognising outstanding talent and dedication, whether that be the Awards finalists, or those gaining Honorary Fellow status. Please do join us on the 8th June for another inspiring and insightful awards ceremony.”

Job Title: Member Engagement Manager

Location: Gateshead, NE11 0AZ, with hybrid working possibilities

Salary:      Up to £30,000

About the Institute of Water

 For over 75 years the Institute of Water has been the only professional body in the UK to exclusively support the development of those working in the water industry. Our goal is to enable our members to reach their full potential to drive the sector forward. We are inclusive, non-hierarchical, supportive and sustainable. Our small office team and many volunteer committees across the country work collaboratively to support our members and our sector.

About the role

 The Member Engagement Manager will help grow our membership to increase our impact for the water sector:

  • Develop and deliver the membership growth strategy
  • Define, implement and deliver contemporary stakeholder engagement activities
  • Develop the membership offering to meet current and evolving professional development needs of the water sector
  • Identify and explore business development opportunities to support our mission and strategy

 

Specifically, this role will:

  • Develop and deliver an effective engagement plan for our members and other key stakeholders, including water companies, supply chain and academic partners
  • Increase communication and build effective two-way relationships with stakeholders to gain greater understanding of the challenges they face and where the Institute can tailor its offerings or work in partnership with them to add value
  • Work with new and existing partner organisations to identify and embrace mutually beneficial opportunities to stimulate membership growth and development
  • Identify opportunities to adapt the Institute’s offerings to meet the changing needs of the sector
  • Provide guidance to and engage with regional volunteer committees to adapt the membership and engagement offer to meet local needs
  • Prioritise customer service and use appropriate tools to identify and segment audiences to gather insight of market opportunities

 

Key Result Areas

  • Membership growth and retention
  • Membership offering development
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Customer Service/Teamwork

 

Key Attributes:

  • Strong communication, persuading, influencing skills and an excellent command of the English language
  • Able to inspire and engage different stakeholders both on an individual basis and when presenting to large audiences
  • Understanding and ideally experience of digital technology and how it can enhance the membership experience, particularly e-learning
  • Self-motivated, energetic and entrepreneurial
  • Excellent networking and relationship building skills
  • Committed to strong customer service
  • Able to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers
  • Experience in business/organisational and strategy development or similar

 

Our offer

We offer a salary up to £30,000 plus a pension contribution of up to 8% after probation.

We have a generous holiday allowance of 25 days (not including bank holidays) and we operate an extended office shut down over Christmas and New Year.

Our offices are based on Team Valley: staff are generally in the office two days a week and are able to work from home the rest of the time. The role will require some travel throughout the UK and occasional overnight stays (conferences/exhibitions).

Working hours are generally Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm, 35 hours per week. We would be willing to consider part-time working.

We appreciate a good work-life balance is important so we try to allow flexible working where possible and encourage and facilitate staff development.

We are a small staff team and you will also be working with our volunteers, our Board of Directors and the wider water sector, including water industry Chief Executives, Learning & Talent Development Leaders, Academics and partner organisations.

How to apply

 Send us your cv with a covering letter (no more than two pages) saying:

  • What attracted you to the vacancy
  • What you can bring to the role
  • How you meet the Key Attributes

Please include a particular example of how you have successfully increased stakeholder engagement and/or membership and the impact of this work

Together with contact details for two people who would be prepared to give you a reference

To: gabrielle@instituteofwater.org.uk

 

Closing Date: 6th June 2022

CCW is today launching its annual Water Awareness Survey. This will help us to keep track of what people in England and Wales know about the water environment, and what they do in their everyday lives to look after it.

The study sets a baseline score of 55 out of 100 for public awareness and actions relating to the water environment. As we repeat this survey each year, we will be able to monitor how people’s awareness and the action they take to protect the environment changes.

CCW is committed to working with the sector to help people value water and the wastewater services they depend on. Our People and the Environment programme will help people make the connection between their own use of these services and the impact on the environment.

This survey will help us to target our efforts and resources in a way that is most likely to resonate with people and help them reduce their impact on the environment.

Key findings from the survey include:

  • 91% of people said they were aware that personal water use, and what is disposed of down toilets or rinsed down the sink, have an effect on the environment.
  • 62% of people said they had not done anything to use less water in the last six months.
  • 15% of respondents said they had flushed items other than human waste and toilet paper down the loo.
  • 14% said they did not know how else to dispose of fats, oils and greases other than down the sink

We want to achieve a measurable reduction in sewer misuse and water consumption by 2030. The challenge for the sector is to go beyond awareness-raising and create a call to action that will resonate strongly with consumers.

To find out more about our People and the Environment programme and how to get involved, contact Karen Gibbs.

Read the full report here

On the 28th April 2022, the Institute of Water South West region launched a new Award called the “Pride in the South West Award” in memory of Dr. Stephen Bird.

It’s quite fitting that this launch was in Plymouth and that it was close to the third anniversary of Stephen Bird’s passing. (10th May 2019). For those that did not know Stephen he was South West Water’s Managing Director, he was born and lived in Plymouth and worked at South West Water since 1992. Prior to which he worked for Welsh Water Authority and the then National Rivers Authority.

Those that knew Stephen will tell you he was passionate about the South West and not just South West Water, his leadership included work across the region’s business and economic interests, he was a board member on the Heart of the South West local enterprise partnership, South West Business Council and Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.

He was also very passionate about people and would always make sure that there was always the right person in the right role. He loved innovation and research as well as establishing training and helped to establish the South Devon University Technical Collage in Newton Abbot.

So it is quite fitting that we are launching a new award called the “Pride in the South West Award”. We are looking for those individuals who are passionate about Water and the South West and can show how they deliver meaningful benefits to the people, communities or the Environment in the South West.

There are only two rules required to qualify:

1) The candidate should be based within the Institute of Water South West Region – Bristol, Cornwall, Devon and across to Bournemouth and up to Swindon.

2) The candidate should be associated with the water sector.

The award is all about the individual and we want to know three things for the judges;

  • Why is this candidate so special ?
  • What have they delivered for the South West ?
  • How have they delivered this with passion that differentiates them and makes them special ?

We are opening this competition till the end of May whereby our panel of judges will select a winner from the entries.

What will they win;

  • A free place at the Institute of Water National conference in Leeds with Evening dinner with the SW Committee, hotel accommodation and travel costs. (12th-15th July)
  • A cash prize of £200. (Sponsored by South West Water)
  • The opportunity to look after the ‘Pride in the South West’ Blue glass Kanagawa Wave trophy for a year

 

To download an application form please click here

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 07th JUNE 

We are excited to be launching a new Skills Challenge to be held at Utility Week Live on 17th May

The event is for teams of two water sector apprentices or young people who will undertake four assorted technical challenges carried out at the stands of exhibitors at Utility Week Live.

The challenges are designed to take 4-5 minutes to complete and a maximum of 10 teams will congregate at one stand to compete in that round.

The winners of each challenge will receive prizes and the top teams after four events will compete in a quiz to determine the Institute of Water Skills Challenge Winners. The overall Skills Champions will be presented with trophies by Kara Sadler, Institute of Water Eastern Area Vice Chair, who, alongside a colleague at Z-Tech, devised the competition.

Kara – Operations Manager (Flowmetering) at Z-Tech Control Systems – responded to an invitation in our Magazine last summer to design a competition to replace Drilling & Tapping which ceased in 2019.

Challenges are

10.00-11.30        Quick-fire leak noise identification

11.30-13.00        Installing an Encapsulation Collar on a test rig

13.00-14.30        Removing a polyurethane cover from a chemical dosing hose system

14.30-16.00        A Digital Design challenge

Videos of each of the challenges will be available soon.

Enter the new Skills Challenge to:

  • Represent your company
  • Showcase your skills and knowledge
  • Learn new skills
  • See the latest innovation in water and other utilities
  • Make friends for life

For more information on the challenges and to download an entry form visit https://instituteofwater.org.uk/events-info/?id=1556

Want to spectate? Visit https://www.utilityweeklive.co.uk/welcome to register to attend Utility Week Live

 

A water company is investing in its future workforce by tripling the number of apprentices within the next year.

This announcement by South East Water during National Apprenticeship Week, running from today (7 February) to Sunday (13 February), follows the success of the past year’s scheme which has seen 20 through the programme.

The company has apprentices from 20 years old to 65 working right the way through the business from Customer Service, Engineering, Operations, Human Resources and Procurement.

Sian Jenkins, Head of Human Resources, South East Water said: “The theme for the National Apprenticeship Programme ‘Build the Future’ fits in exactly with our ambitious target for increasing the number of apprenticeships in South East Water over the next 12 months.

“Particular focus will be on developing our employees internally and recruiting a new generation of future talent across all areas of our business. We hope that our plans improve our social mobility and give equal opportunity across all our departments, especially in the more traditional jobs which have been dominated by one particular gender.”

Maisie Carter, whose apprenticeship was in Human Resources said: “I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and if I had decided to take a different route I genuinely do not believe I would be in the position I am today.”

Working in Engineering, Craig Tooth said: “I will always be appreciative of the opportunities that have been given to me by South East Water as I now have a career path to follow.”

Paul Mansey, who at 46 is one of South East Water’s oldest apprentices within the Operations Department, said: “I have never turned any training opportunity down. I always tell people to just go for it as the sense of achievement is worth it.”

South East Water’s apprenticeship programme is now open for applicants on its website at www.southeastwater.co.uk/careers

Engineering students and junior engineers across the UK are being called upon to find radical ideas to tackle the nation’s growing water crisis as part of the Water Futures Challenge.

The competition, run by global plumbing and drainage solutions provider, Wavin, and held in partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), outlines four urgent challenges for entrants to address. The brief offers them the opportunity to apply their skills to create game-changing solutions that could prevent the UK’s water infrastructure from reaching breaking point.

The four challenges are:

  • How can we better address man-made pollution across our rivers and waterways?
  • How can we rethink the way the UK protects urban areas against flooding?
  • How can we use the increasing levels of rainfall and stormwater to our advantage?
  • How can we make high-rise buildings more efficient when it comes to heating and water reuse?

The Water Futures Challenge is open to all engineering students and professional engineers with less than 3 years’ experience. Entries, in the form of written submissions, are now open, with shortlisting taking place in March.

Shortlisted entrants will have the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of industry experts at a showcase event at the ICE headquarters in Central London on 3rd May 2022. Their ideas will be brought to life by digital artists and will go on display at the headquarters at Number One, Great George Street.

The engineer who creates the winning idea relating to each challenge will receive £1,000 towards their studies and career goals. The overall grand winner will become the first ICE Water Futures Ambassador. As well as winning another £1,000 on top of their initial prize money, the Water Futures Ambassador will be invited to join ICE’s Flooding Community Advisory Board, which meets regularly through the year. This position will give them the opportunity to sit in at the top table and discuss major water issues and solutions, while networking with other professionals driving engineering forward.

The Water Futures Ambassador will also be invited to attend all ICE Knowledge Live Events throughout the year and write blogs for the ICE website, acting as an integral part of the ICE Knowledge Community.

Mike Ward, Wavin Managing Director UK and Ireland, commented: “The issues we’re outlining in the Water Futures Challenge: flooding, water pollution, increased rainfall, and water conservation, are getting more urgent and are impacting a growing number of people.

“We need to start thinking radically, and this means identifying and fast-tracking ideas from this uniquely creative generation before it’s too late. This new brief will give student engineers and junior engineers the opportunity to showcase their talents and help build strong relationships between them and the wider industry. These relationships will be key to ensuring that we continue to create healthy, sustainable environments where future generations can thrive.”

To find out more about the Water Futures Challenge, including details on how to enter, visit www.wavin.co.uk/water-futures-challenge.