Ewan's experience
Name: Ewan Thomson Company: Tony Gee and Partners Award: Apprentice of the Year
What did winning the award mean for you and your team (Was it a moment of pride, recognition, validation, or something else?) For me, the award was a direct reflection of how far I had come as a young engineer. It represented my hard work, dedication, skill and progress and truly showed how valued and respected I am as a Civil engineer and member of the Tony Gee Team.
Take us back to the moment you found out you’d won — how did it feel? (What was the reaction in the room or within the team?) I can still remember the feeling! To hear my name announced and met with applause and cheers was incredibly overwhelming. I felt pride, pure elation, surprise and overwhelming gratitude. Not only was it the surrealism of being selected, but the cheers and words said by my TG colleagues and directors which truly resonated with me. Never in my professional career did I think I’d be so appreciated, valued and supported in a corporate firm. I am still grateful to the ACE and EIC for granting me this incredible achievement. Remembering the feeling of winning has not escaped me. It is still a fond memory I regularly look back on.
What did you enjoy most about the Awards Gala dinner? (Meeting people from industry/the guest speaker/the venue/the celebration) Without a doubt, it was the opportunity to meet people and share the immense achievement of other individuals, firms and projects. To be in a room celebrating incredible accomplishments was a very special feeling. And to be a part of those accomplishments was a privilege.
What do you think really made your project stand out to the judges? (What part of the work are you most proud of?) I believe it was my unique progress and sheer passion which granted me this achievement. I have made it my mission to go above and beyond during my apprenticeship. I never wanted to be a regular apprentice. I had a goal to enter this apprenticeship and do everything I can to better myself and others. I believe starting in civil engineering at the age of 16 is a key element of my career that impresses, and since then I’ve been demonstrating my passion for design and industry as a whole. My participation in charity, STEM, involvement with my old secondary school and extra curriculum activity are a direct result of my passion and drive to do all I can to create the best start to a hopefully long and successful career. I believe it was this sense of achievement, early success and demonstration of my design knowledge that made me stand out.
What’s been the biggest benefit of winning an ACE Award for you or your organisation? (Confidence, visibility, team morale, new opportunities, etc.) For me, the biggest benefit of this reward was the recognition, from that night I was known as apprentice of the year within TG and my family. Later that year Tony Gee celebrated its 50th birthday. On this weekend, many employees I had never met knew me because of this award. The recognition and validation this award has given me over the past year has been immense and so unexpected. It has reinforced my confidents in my ability and status as an engineer and has inspired me to continue to excel.
Why do awards like ACE matter for the engineering and consultancy profession? (What do they help celebrate, showcase, or encourage?) Awards such as the ACE are incredibly important for us engineers and consultants. For me personally, they are the best way to show case success. To recognize success and to reward extraordinary work and contribution. So much incredible work happens in Civil Engineering, and often it is the projects that are recognized. However, awards like the ACE celebrate the individuals, the people that enable our incredible industry to progress.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about entering the ACE Awards but isn’t sure yet? (Any reassurance, tips, or encouragement?) For Apprentice of the Year. I would say – Go for it! There is no check list for apprentice of the year, this is case of having your progression, passion and hard work celebrated. If you believe you have those qualities, you can be apprentice of the year. I spent all my apprenticeship work relentless to better myself personally and professionally. Contributing to charity, STEM and careers fairs, going beyond the requirements of my apprenticeship to better others and my own development. Yet, I know I have room to improve. If you go above and beyond for your apprenticeship, show case your knowledge of civils and believe you have made unique contribution to the industry, you have what it takes to win.
In one sentence: why should others enter the ACE Awards? The ACE awards offer the opportunity to have your success, hard work and commitment recognised and celebrated, it will be one of the many highlights of your career.
