News
May 23, 2019
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Attracting over 400 nominations this year, the WICE awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of some of the construction and engineering industry’s leading talent. The awards promote the diverse careers women are excelling in, from architects, project managers, engineers and urban planners, to environmental and health and safety specialists.
Jacobs Senior Vice President and Global Head of HSEQ, Security & Resilience and Sustainability and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers, Catriona Schmolke (pictured above), was recognized with the WICE 2019 Lifetime Achievement in Engineering. A chartered engineer and applied geologist with a master's degree in mine water pollution and remediation, Catriona's career at Jacobs spans more than 30 years.
"Throughout my career I have been blessed with wonderful colleagues. Collaborating with each other in a respectful and thoughtful manner is the key to profitable growth for any company. I always maintain that happy, motivated people achieve great things. Who doesn't want to work in an environment where everyone belongs and can thrive?
"It is a wonderful time to be an engineer, so many world challenges, ripe for innovators and improvement. My role - to offer my experience unconditionally by way of inspiration, through STEM, maternity mentoring, mental health awareness or just taking the time to care. Exciting times," added Catriona.
Passionate about her role contributing to road worker and road user safety across the U.K., Jacobs Divisional Director and WICE 2019 Best Woman in Health & Safety Kate Carpenter said: "Engineering and construction are services that must meet the needs of end users: of a school or factory, road or industrial facility. From machine controls that are intuitive and usable, to bus stops that are accessible to parents with small children or frail elderly passengers, the needs of users should drive specification and design. A diverse workforce, by all dimensions, is more likely to understand and meet the needs of those users.
"These awards celebrate that development of a representative and highly-skilled workforce, in technical roles and as mentors, delivering excellent projects and solutions that benefit society."
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Kate Carpenter (r) wins WICE 2019 Best Woman in Health & Safety
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Katy Kemble (r) receives WICE 2019 Best Woman in Environment & Sustainability
Jacobs Principal Geomorphologist and WICE 2019 Best Woman in Environment & Sustainability Katy Kemble said: "I am so proud to be able to showcase the great work that we do as Geomorphologists to support the environment and sustainability industry and I now want to take this further and use my winning this award as a platform to empower and encourage others to be a part of this community. The awards and the people nominated are testament to how far we want to strive to develop, promote each other and move the industry forward."
“As an industry we have an important opportunity to make a difference,” said Jacobs Head of Global Sustainability and WICE Best Woman Environment & Sustainability Finalist Zoe Haseman. “With trillions of dollars of global investment due to be invested in new or upgraded infrastructure by 2030, what we do is vital to delivering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Everyone involved has the ability to create real change for good and at scale.”
Bold and transformative steps for a more sustainable world require the talents and fresh perspectives of a diverse pool of innovators, problem-solvers and creators.
Zoe added, “My fellow WICE finalists and the winners represent some of the industry’s greatest talent across Europe. These women are all working within their respective organizations to design, build and construct an enduring and resilient world, and make a positive impact for future generations.”
The WICE winners and finalists also play an important role in helping to develop the future bright and creative minds. From helping women to develop rewarding career pathways to looking at how internships and STEM programs, for example, can attract young people and help them build relevant competencies and skillsets.
“Through my life several mentors have made a real difference to my progress and given generously of their time and experience,” said Jacobs Deputy Director Stakeholder Engagement and Communications and WICE Best Female Mentor Finalist Sarah Morgan. “I take pleasure from recognizing potential in my mentees and seeing them flourish.”
Sarah is currently part of the Jacobs team delivering the southern section of Transport Scotland’s A9 dualling program, which will see the upgrade of around 80 miles of road between Perth and Inverness from single to dual carriageway. Central to the program’s legacy is Academy9, an education program developed by the three A9 dualling teams in collaboration with Transport Scotland, which aims to deliver lasting skills, create local jobs for local people and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. Developed with local teachers, the bespoke educational program aims to benefit schools, educators and students up and down the A9. The program has already helped more than 3,500 pupils and teachers in schools along the route through workshops, experience days and learning tools. Academy9 will support children across a ten-year period, all the way from primary school, to applying for University, an apprenticeship or full-time employment.
“Within Academy9 our senior pupils operate as ‘junior mentors’ while our early career professionals act as ‘senior mentors’ to those pupils. Working in this environment is a privilege, as we enable the next generation of effective mentors and the talent growth that our industry needs,” added Sarah.
Congratulations to all our other 2019 Finalists:
Best Woman Civil Engineer Finalist: Lesley Campton, Naomi Brace and Sarah Loughrey
Best Woman Consultant Finalist: Faye Clamp and Holly Newman
Best Woman Environment & Sustainability Finalist: Zoe Haseman
Best Woman Health & Safety Finalist: Lorna Byrne, Maeve Kenny and Kathleen Harrison
Best Woman Project Manager Finalist: Rhianna Rose and Suzanna Moore
Best Woman Rail Engineer Finalist: Maria Stratigaki
Best Woman Tunnelling and Underground Finalist: Giulia Lancellotta and Monika Tomana
Best Young Woman Engineer Finalist: Ellie Hurley-Simister
Best Woman Construction Law Finalist: Laura Walker
Best Woman Construction Planner Finalist: Claire Shackley
Best Woman Architect Finalist: Lorena Sanz
Best Woman Structural Engineer Finalist: Gail Hunter
Best Female Mentor Finalist: Fiona Jones, Laura Markeson and Sarah Morgan
Best Male Mentor Finalist: David Ellis and Sam Luke