CECA’s Most Promising New Entrant Trainee Civil Engineer

Daniel MacConnell, Site Engineer, Robertson Civil Engineering was the recipient of the ‘Most Promising New Entrant Trainee Civil Engineer’ award at the annual Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) awards held in Glasgow on Thursday 30 March.

Nominated by Martin Kiely, Executive Director, Robertson Civil Engineering, the award recognises individuals supported by their employer who are working towards a recognised civil engineering qualification and are viewed as the 'most promising' within their industry.

Daniel is working towards becoming a fully Charted Civil Engineer as part of the Robertson Chartership Programme. Whilst working towards a relevant professional membership, the programme provides the opportunity for employees to develop a range of specialist skills and to continually build on their achievements.

Daniel had his first taste of the construction industry in 2020, when he joined Robertson Civil Engineering on a 13-week placement, while studying at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. One year later and after graduating with a first-class master's degree in civil engineering, Daniel saw his future with Team Robertson, joining as a Graduate Site Engineer.

Now a Site Engineer, working at Glentress Mountain Bike Trail Centre, Daniel is committed to going above and beyond in his role to ensure the successful delivery of the project. After volunteering to be responsible for site procurement, Daniel has reduced waste and made project savings. As part of the Glentress Masterplan, which will host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, large 'goal posts' were needed to draw attention to overhead cables. Daniel repurposed old piping from a previous project, which was being held in storage, and turned these into an overhead cable warning system. This initiative was recognised by the Robertson SHE team and resulted in a green card for environmental efforts.

Daniel is committed to looking out for the next generation. In addition to being the first to raise his hand and be a mentor for new Intern Engineers, Daniel volunteers at an annual STEM event in his home village of Pettinain, South Lanarkshire, which inspires young people into STEM related sectors.

Daniel commented: "My passion lies in inspiring and supporting the next generation of engineers to realise their potential and pursue their aspirations. I believe that it is crucial to inspire and engage young minds with STEM education early on, so that they can be the driving force behind future innovation.

"I am delighted to be recognised by the respected industry body, CECA, for my hard work and dedication to the civil engineering industry, and I am grateful to Robertson for the support they have provided me throughout my career and studies. Their commitment to fostering a culture of learning and development has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, and I look forward to continuing my progression with Team Robertson."

Martin commented: "Daniel's achievement in winning the Most Promising New Entrant Trainee Civil Engineer award is well-deserved recognition of his hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm for his role. He consistently demonstrates a can-do attitude and goes above and beyond to ensure that projects are delivered to the highest standard. I have no doubt that he has a very bright future ahead of him."

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: "At Robertson, we recognise that our people are our most valuable asset. We believe that by investing in our employees, we are investing in the future of our business, and we are committed to providing the resources, support, and opportunities necessary to help them succeed.

"Daniel's award is a testament to the success of this approach, and we are proud to have played a part in his journey. Well done, Daniel."

Robertson is committed to attracting, supporting, developing, and retaining young people and ensuring they achieve their full potential and career aspirations. Its aim is to improve the diversity of its workforce by attracting a new generation into Robertson and its industries, and to build a strong talent pipeline to ensure the future sustainability of the business.