2022 IET Armed Forces Technician Winner
Chief Technician Gary Wathan BEng(Hons) IEng MIET
I was incredibly fortunate to be nominated and make the shortlist for the 2022 IET Armed Forces Technician of the Year award. Winning this award was a huge surprise, given the outstanding nominations in this category. The awards evening was fantastic, offering opportunities to network with like-minded individuals and gain deeper insights into global developments and implementations. My nomination was based on my work in digitalising the process of capturing actions and issues, triaging and trending for a more accurate risk-based approach to auditing, and my active role as a STEM ambassador for the Royal Air Force and across East Anglia.
Since winning the award and being a long-time member of the IET, I felt compelled to give back. This led me to volunteer as a panel member for the Apprentice and Technician Awards and the Future Talent Awards. This role is advantageous as I read and evaluate all the fantastic nominations submitted. Additionally, I have joined the Career Ready Scheme as a mentor for Year 12 and 13 students, providing workplace opportunities through mentoring, paid internships, masterclasses, and workplace visits to inspire them to undertake a STEM-based career.
Continuing my desire to enhance my professional portfolio through Continued Personal Development, I have embarked on the journey to gather evidence and upgrade my Professional Registration from IEng to CEng.
2022 IET Technician Winner
Charlotte Huntley BSc(Hons) IEng MIET
I won the Engineering and Technology Technician Award in 2022. I was shocked I won the award as there were so many great applicants. It felt amazing to be recognised with this award and it is a night I won’t forget.
In the past few years following the award, I have completed my BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I graduated in July 2023 with First Class Honours. Following this I applied for and was awarded IEng with the IET.
I moved companies in September last year where I became an Electrical Engineer at Aqua Consultants. I am gaining valuable experience working on various projects at various stages in the design life cycle.
This year I volunteered as a technician assessor so that I can support individuals applying for EngTech and ICTTech.
I struggle with imposter syndrome, and this award has helped me develop my confidence and has made me feel part of the Engineering Community.
2021 IET Technician Winner
Kieron Coyle EngTech BSc(Hons) MSc MIET
Back in 2021, I was lucky enough to win the IET technician of the year award with the IET. It still feels surreal with some of the incredible entries in the competition.
Since winning the award, I finally took the leap and applied to become an incorporated engineer within the IET and have been involved with judging the boost and launch scholarships which has been an incredible privilege. I have also received a promotion since that time and have become a BIM manager within Hydrock’s MEP division.
I have continued to look at how programming and digital technology can improve efficiencies and standardise what we do at Hydrock. One project I am working on now is the Velindre Cancer Centre which will be the UK’s greenest hospital. It is based in North Cardiff and has been an absolute honour to be involved with, particularly since my own mother has recently passed away from cancer and received support from Velindre, to which I am forever grateful for.
2020 IET Apprentice Winner
Jessica Reading BEng(Hons) MIET
Winning the IET Apprentice award in 2020 marked a pivotal moment in my journey, instilling a great sense of achievement and bolstering my confidence. It gave me the confidence to continuously push my boundaries, pursuing diverse opportunities with determination. Beyond the recognition, the award served as a gateway to a multitude of networking prospects and invaluable mentorship from industry professionals.
In the aftermath of this achievement, my commitment to the IET flourished through active engagement in volunteer initiatives and advocacy as a STEM Ambassador. Leveraging my IET membership, I accessed a wealth of resources that propelled my development, culminating in the attainment of a first-class honours degree in Control and Automation.
I've continued to seize opportunities, which have led me to travel and collaborate with professionals internationally. As an educator at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group I impart my passion for engineering apprenticeships and STEM careers, nurturing the next generation of innovators.
Reflecting on my journey, I wholeheartedly encourage aspiring candidates to seize the opportunity to apply for the IET Apprentice of the Year award. Beyond the accolade itself, it serves as a catalyst, fostering invaluable connections and unlocking boundless opportunities for growth and development!
2020 IET Technician Winner
Chloe Garland TMIET
In 2020 I was awarded Engineering Technician of the Year. This was a significant win for me as it nicely wrapped up an end to the projects I had been working on for many years.
Since winning, I have been based in Germany within an international environment, and although my current employer does not recognise my professional registration, my continued membership with the IET (that was awarded as part of the prize) has provided me with the access to resources to keep my CPD up to date and given me access to resources which have helped me progress my Eng Tech status, to apply for IEng.
Winning the award also gave me access to invaluable networking within the IET which has led to me joining the IET as a volunteer and I am now on the judging panel for the IET Apprentice and Technician Awards. This year I was delighted to be asked to judge the Young Women Engineer of the Year awards.
I feel my award gave me a huge boost in confidence and reassurance that the hard work I put into my career is appreciated and recognised, not only by my managers and employer, but the wider engineering community such as the IET.
2019 IET Armed Forces Technician Winner
Warrant Officer Class One Kay Howells EngTech
In 2019 I was nominated for the IET Armed Forces Technician of the Year award. I was on maternity leave with my first child at the time, and I got to bring my baby to the awards ceremony, as he was only a few months old at the time. I was incredibly surprised and humbled to win the award. The awards ceremony was incredible, my Commanding officer, my partner, and I were invited to attend and we were able to watch the other incredibly talented winners. My favourite part of the ceremony was hearing about the shortlisted candidates from across the world, and their innovative ideas in advancing technology.
I was nominated as a Subject Matter Expert in Explosive Ordnance Disposal and am trained to safely dispose of all types of unexploded ordinance and improvised explosive devices including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear. I have conducted bomb disposal operations in hostile environments; most notably in Afghanistan. I was selected to be the team leader of the Advanced EOD operators course at the Defence EOD munitions and Search Regiment, where I taught the next generation of soldiers and officers high threat Improvised Explosive Device Disposal. Also a keen promoter of Science Technology Engineering and Maths in the work place, I actively seek to inspire future generations into STEM trades within the military.
Since winning the award I have had another child and have taken the role of technical training warrant officer in 11EOD&S Regt where I look after a number of technical training specialities in support of Ammunition Technical matters and Explosive Device disposal. I have also gained my Eng Tech professional registration. Continuing my desire to improve and give back, I have recently made the decision to commission into the Royal Logistic Corps as a Late Entry Officer where I hope to continue with my Army career as a Commissioned Officer.
2019 IET Technician Winner
Jonathan Potter TMIET
In 2019 I was honoured to receive the IET Technician award. It was great privilege to be recognised for the work I have done in science and engineering at Diamond Light Source. The adulation that I received from being awarded this title from an organisation like the IET has been great for me to promote the role that technicians have within the company and a great way for my peers to see what recognition there is out there for the work we do.
Since winning the award I have continued in my role as Senior Mechanical Beamline Technician on I11. The Beamline has been though a major upgrade over the past three years. I played a critical role in the design and installation of the highly technical equipment. The IET award gave me great strength and confidence in my ability though a challenging time for the beamline.
I am currently in the process of moving on to a new role as a Senior Experimental Hall Coordinator where I will be providing a broad range of support and advice to maintain the operational effectiveness of all beamlines and laboratories within the Diamond Synchrotron. Having the recognition of this award from the IET has helped me achieve this goal.
2019 IET Apprentice Winner
Thomas Sutherland
Winning the IET Apprentice of the Year award in 2019 was a massive achievement for me, as it was a goal I had set myself early on in my apprenticeship. The award increased my confidence and affirmed that I can achieve targets I set myself, highlighting the progress I had made with support from my employer Leonardo. Within the industry, I believe the IET Apprentice of the Year award is highly regarded, and it provided me with a significant boost both within my company and externally.
Following the award, I continued to be involved with the IET through amazing volunteering opportunities, taking up the role as the Apprentice Representative on the Young Professional Committee (YPC). After only a few months within this position, I found myself attending international young professional conferences with the IET, where I was invited to share my knowledge and experience as an input to the IET’s forward-looking strategy. It was excellent to have an opportunity to influence the strategy and see proactive changes as a response to my inputs.
Additionally, the award also opened doors for my career development by helping me secure business sponsorship for degree studies while working full time at Leonardo. Having now completed this degree, I have moved onto senior engineering roles, and I continue to help the IET as an advocate for apprenticeships at any opportunity.
Anyone considering nominating/applying for IET Apprentice of the Year should absolutely do it as it really will turbocharge your engineering career!
2018 IET Armed Forces Technician Winner
Sgt Dan Hardwick IEng MIET
I was the winner of the Armed Forces Technician Award in 2018, I was nominated due to work on an innovative solution to a tooling issue on the Tornado Aircraft, in addition to being a very active STEM Ambassador within the Norfolk Region.
Since winning the award I have had a renewed confidence in my skills and experience which spurred me on to achieve Professional Registration as an Incorporated Engineer. In 2019 I was asked to join the awards judging panel and a year later I became Vice Chair. Giving back to the IET in this way is extremely rewarding.
I also applied for an Engineering Education Grant from the IET and IMechE which provided funding for a STEM practical principles of flight activity which has gone on to reach at least 15,000 students across the UK and continues to grow.
In 2021 after a 2-year design and build process I was crowned winner of the RAF Engineering Competition with a Raspberry Pi based, networkable, collision detection system for aircraft.
I have recently applied to leave the Royal Air Force after 22 years and am looking forward to new, exciting opportunities within the engineering sector, building on my successful career in the Armed Forces.
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