Double celebration for young professionals in 'huge demand'

Highly-employable graduates enjoyed a double celebration by picking up industry awards after collecting their LJMU degrees!

Around 30 graduates in Civil Engineering and Built Environment met employers within hours of the award of their degrees at Liverpool Cathedral on Wednesday, 12 July.

A further 20 students who have finished their first or second year also received industry prizes at the school’s Graduation Celebration and Prizegiving at Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel.

“It’s what were about; we’re always mixing academic work with industry contact and experience,” explained Professor Mike Riley, Director of Civil Engineering and Built Environment.

“That’s why we have such excellent employability results and such a strong reputation within the industry.”

Representatives from construction and property companies met students and academics ahead of the prize-giving, offering tips on their courses and careers.

Among companies present were Lovell, RICS, LegatOwen, CBRE, Mason Partners, Ridge, Baltic Creative, Aspinall Verdi, Davies Partnership, Whitley + Partners, Redrow, Graham, Clancy, Faithful+Gould, Tilbury Douglas, Mott McDonald, Gleeds, AECOM, United Utilities, Laing O’Rourke. Professional bodies the CIAT, the CIOB and the Institution of Structural Engineers also sponsored awards.

John Booth, technical director at AECOM, which takes 200 university and school leavers on its ‘early careers programme’ said LJMU graduates were extremely well grounded, theoretically and technically: “LJMU for us is a blue-chip organisation which has a lot in common with ourselves in terms of how we develop people and communities.

“It really makes sense for us to work hand-in-hand with LJMU.”

Gavin Thomas, a senior director at the CBRE, which worked on LJMU’s Copperas Hill development and also sits on the School’s Industry Liaison Panel, said the organisation regularly recruited from LJMU.

“I myself did an undergraduate and a Masters here and we know that students get a lot of work experience as well as a very relevant curriculum.”

Professor Riley told the audience, which included prize-winners families: “The Civil Engineering and Built Environment professions are currently in a period of huge demand within a sector of the economy that is experiencing growth, innovation and optimism.

“The qualifications that you have achieved as a result of your studies at LJMU are among the most recognised and respected in the UK and internationally.

“You are entering the world of work at a very exciting time indeed.”