Young Aucklanders win prestigious awards

Two talented young Aucklanders have been named as the winners of the prestigious Contractors’ Federation Shell People Awards 2008, each carrying off $3000 prizes.

Felicity Glenie, 26, won the inaugural Leader of Tomorrow title, and Donald Wellis, 25, was named Trainee of the Year in the awards, developed by the NZCF to recognise outstanding training achievements within the civil construction industry.

Felicity Glenie works as a section engineer for Fletcher Construction Engineering. She studied engineering and commerce at the University of Auckland and joined Fletcher Construction after graduating in 2004, having had a placement with the company during her final year.

“It was quite a surprise to win the award and I am very happy with the recognition,” she says. “I am planning to use the prize money to take part in a Future Leaders Course to help me to further develop my leadership skills.”

Glenie initially joined Fletcher as a site engineer and has worked on a variety of projects including two and a half years on Auckland’s Central Motorway Junction. She is now responsible for the construction of the service centre on Project Eastport. Her career aim is to be project manager on a large infrastructure project.

Trainee of the Year Donald Wellis is a drain layer with McKenzie & Parma. He was initially attracted to the civil construction industry because he was keen to drive large machinery but his interests have developed further.

His qualifications now include National Certificates in drain laying, civil plant operation and civil pipe laying. He was nominated for the award through the civil construction industry training body InfraTrain.

“I had always wanted to operate diggers,” says Wellis. “But now I get the most satisfaction from the drain laying. I really enjoy being part of a major project and seeing it through to completion.

“I’m really pleased to have won the award because I think it will help me to progress in my career. My immediate ambition would be to become a site foreman and, ultimately, a project manager.”

All entrants had to submit detailed written applications and undergo interviews with an expert judging panel.

Judge Stephen Beeby of Beeby Construction in Dunedin, says it was a tight race with lots of debate to find the leader of tomorrow.

“Donald knows exactly where he is going and what he wants to do. Felicity showed that she is well on her way to becoming an industry leader as she can identify and express how a team works.”