The Institution of Civil Engineers South West (ICE) has awarded a QUEST Technician Scholarship to promising future technicians Ashley Wellington, from Helston, and Tom James, from Camborne.

The scholarship provides financial support for engineering students in further or higher education, while they are also obtaining technical and practical engineering experience with employers.

The Queen’s Jubilee Scholarship Trust (QUEST) was set up in 1977 to support and encourage education in civil engineering. The awards are associated with excellence, looking for those with an aptitude for teamwork, leadership skills and ambition. The selection process for these awards is very competitive and attracts high-calibre applicants.

The standard of entries for this year’s QUEST Scholarships were extremely high, with entrants from all over the South West applying. Tom and Ashley both excelled in their interviews and displayed an excellent knowledge of the civil engineering industry.

Ashley is a trainee technician for WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff in Truro and a part-time student at City College Plymouth. He said: “For me to achieve this award is a proud moment, which has already inspired me to refocus my efforts to further expand my knowledge of civil engineering. Working at WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff is helping me to understand engineering principles whilst working as part of the team in Truro.”

Tom is a trainee technician for CORMAC Solutions and is also a part-time student at City College Plymouth. He added: “Being awarded the scholarship was an incredibly proud moment for me. I am relatively new to civil engineering, having started my trainee technician role in September, so to have achieved this so early on in my career means a great deal.

"The most important part for me is knowing that the ICE has faith in my abilities, and the fact that they believe I can succeed in the industry. It’s given me an even greater desire to push myself, and keep developing new skills both at college and at work.”