August 2009
A 19-year old gap year student with Halcrow in Edinburgh has been involved in the development of flood warning systems that will help warn Scottish communities of possible flooding.
Her contribution has earned Amelia Carman a place on the shortlist for the Scottish final of The Year in Industry’s Regional Contribution to the Business Awards. She is now one of seven students battling it out to become the Scottish regional winner in the awards which showcase students’ exceptional achievement.
Amelia helped produce computer-based models which will provide advance warning of flooding across the north east of Scotland and Scottish borders. The models will be used by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to issue warning to local councils, the emergency services, residents and businesses, allowing them to take early action to protect their properties and mitigate the effects of flooding. [Flood warning systems are in operation on several rivers throughout Scotland and this work significantly increases the number of communities benefiting from advance warning.]
Amelia went to Douglas Academy and is about to start a degree in Civil Engineering with Construction Management at Edinburgh University this October.
Ruth Ellis, Amelia’s Year in Industry company mentor at Halcrow, said: “Her performance, attitude and accomplishments over the past year have been truly exceptional. Right from the offset, her approach has been characterised by her enthusiasm, curiosity and desire to understand and learn new skills which has remained undiminished throughout her placement, enabling her to gain a wide breadth of technical, commercial and professional experience and undertake increasingly complex and specialised tasks. “
To win the regional award, Amelia must present her project and undergo a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style interrogation by a panel of industry experts who will assess her financial and personal contribution to the company.
Duncan McSporran, Director of EDT Scotland, said: "A Year in Industry gives our placement students the skills and knowledge to really stand out from the crowd. The projects on display at this event provide abundant evidence as to the benefits to both parties of exposing young people to the world of employment.
“With job prospects for graduates looking tougher than ever, we hope more students will re-think the rucksack in their gap year and opt for a work placement that delivers real work experience. But it's not just students who benefit; our students have saved UK companies tens of millions of pounds over the last 20 years."
The winner of the Scottish final and two from each of England’s four regions - South-East, South-West, the Midlands and the North of England, will be entered into the National Year in Industry Contribution to the Business Awards competition, and be invited to London’s BT auditorium to present their work in September.
Scotland’s winner will each receive a cheque for £500 from the event sponsor Chemring Energetics UK, a manufacturer of energetic materials such as explosives. The runner-up will receive £300 from Scottish Engineering.
The overall winner for England and Scotland will receive £1000, with runner- up prizes of £500.
The Year in Industry has been teaming pre-university and undergraduate students with top UK companies, from L’Oreal to Rolls Royce, for year-long placements for over 21 years. Over 275 students from across the UK have taken part in the awards this year.