I’m Harvey Hudson, Building Services Apprentice at Vital Energi, and I recently won the level 3-4 CIBSE Apprentice of the Year award.
Why did you enter the awards?
I entered the award after being nominated by assessor at the City of Liverpool College where I study for my apprenticeship. It’s a great feeling to be put forward for an award like this from someone who is assessing my work.
What new and exciting projects are you working on?
I am currently working on site at the New Cross Solar Farm in Wolverhampton. The 15,000 panels will produce around 288 days of self-generated renewable energy which will power the nearby New Cross Hospital site and save 1,450 tonnes of carbon each year. The 40 acres of clay-capped landfill site has been a challenge due to the methane and the small distance from the top of the soil to the clay.
One of my responsibilities on the site is marking and testing the piles to ensure that the clay cap and gas pipes don’t get damaged. Methane will be released if these get damaged. I use the SEM5000 to gather readings once the pile has been driven into the ground.
What exciting opportunities have you received since winning the YEAs?
I have been invited to speak on an online panel discussion called The CIBSE Exchange, where I’ll be delivering a short presentation about my experience and answering questions on a Q&A panel.
What inspires you as an early career engineer? Is it problem-solving? The impact that you can have on the world around you? Getting to work on exciting projects? Learning from other engineers?
I am inspired by the positive impact this industry has on the world around me. By working for a company that provides strategies to decarbonise the generation, distribution, and usage of energy, I know that every project I work on is helping work towards the UK’s net zero target.
How do you think your experience in entering and being shortlisted for the YEAs has help to boost your confidence and development as an early career engineer?
Winning the award has significantly boosted my confidence and development. Being 17 and at the start of my career, competing with older, more experienced level 4 candidates, made it feel so surreal when I found out I won!
What drew you to a career in engineering?
Several of my family members are in the engineering industry, however my Dad had the biggest impact on inspiring me to go into the world of engineering. He introduced me to engineering from a young age and I gradually got more and more passionate about it.
Proudly Sponsored By
2022 Sponsors
ACV
ACV has been established since 1922 as a leading specialist in the design, manufacture and distribution of hot water generation products. Our products range from water heaters and cylinders to condensing and electric boilers, for commercial and residential heating applications.
We specialise in stainless steel and are the home of the Tank-in-Tank concept. This material, which resists corrosion of the most aggressive water, gives our products an exceptional lifetime with minimal maintenance. The tank-in-tank is an effective concept that delivers outstanding, reliable DHW performance.
With decades of experience behind us, ACV is a brand you can trust.
Visit site
Ideal Heating Commercial
Ideal Heating Commercial is the UK’s leading commercial heating manufacturer of high efficiency commercial heating solutions. Operating from our Hull manufacturing plant and offices since 1906, we are one of the few true British manufacturers left in the heating industry.
With over 100 years of experience and knowledge we have developed a range of low carbon heating solutions for commercial properties. Armed with everything from hydrogen-ready condensing boilers, commercial heat pumps through to heat interface units, we provide the right heating technology to help the UK on its journey to net zero.
Visit site
Lochinvar
Visit site
Swegon
Swegon is your partner for indoor environment solutions that work exactly as desired, at the lowest possible lifecycle cost. We are a total system supplier, and our offer includes ventilation, heating, cooling and climate optimisation systems, as well as connected services and expert technical support.
Count on us to add value to your project – from start to finish, and beyond. In everything we do, we are guided by a single purpose; to enable healthy, comfortable and safe indoor environments for people to be at their best, today and tomorrow
Visit site
Viega
Viega is an international manufacturer of installation technologies for pipe, drainage and pre-wall systems. Our focus on the best engineering technology has been fundamental to Viega since it was founded 120 years ago, and ongoing investment in product development ensures that we continue to support the buildings of the tomorrow.
Visit site