Employers get ahead of the competition to meet future industry stars

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, at the Women in Property Midlands Student Awards (20 June). 13 students took part in the regional Awards this year, representing disciplines including engineering, architecture, surveying and planning, with Esme Butcherd studying Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at Nottingham Trent University winning the Midlands award.

Hannah Deverell, Chair of Women in Property Midlands 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.”

ISG is a committed sponsor of the Midlands Student Awards, acknowledging the inspirational talent coming into the industry and recognising the benefits of supporting them at an early stage.

Joy Woods, Senior Social Value & Sustainability Manager for ISG, also handed out the trophies at the Awards evening.  She said: “It’s a great pleasure to continue to sponsor the Women in Property Midlands Student Awards. To see such a great array of talented young people passionate about starting their journey in the built environment is fantastic. We are proud to be part of a network helping to diversify the talent that we need in our evolving industry, delivering the places that help our communities to thrive.”

Hannah Deverell added: “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.

“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.”

Because of its wide geographic reach, the Midlands judging panels were held over two days, with two winners announced:

Esme Butcherd, studying Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at Nottingham Trent University. The judges described her as being “very personable and engaging, very self-aware, a strong role model”.

Nicole Garcia-Godos, studying Construction Project Management at Aston University. The judges described her as “very impressive, mature, structured and articulated work, it felt like a professional was presenting”.

Two further students, Taya Eames, studying Architectural Technology at Coventry University and Sammy Lo studying Civil Engineering at Loughborough University, were both awarded Highly Commended.

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 Esme and Nicole will compete with 12 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.