Council shortlisted in construction excellence award

Carmarthenshire County Council is celebrating being shortlisted for three categories in the 2015 Construction Excellence Wales awards.

Llanelli’s new Ysgol Ffwrnes, built by WRW Ltd on behalf of the council, is up for its first award since opening earlier this year. It has been shortlisted in the Sustainability Award – Our Legacy, and Project of the Year categories with the submission, written by the WRW team, highlighting its environmentally-friendly design features and modern teaching spaces.

And Shane Evans, a 27-year-old property design technician, has been shortlisted for the Young Achiever award.

Shane joined the authority as a building cadet in 2011 having completed a shared apprenticeship with Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd, and has recently gained a permanent position within the Property Services design team.

Shane suffers with the debilitating condition cystic fibrosis, but has battled through illness to qualify as a carpenter and quickly progress his career.

He now works alongside senior staff on construction design and management of the council’s major investment projects.

He has won several awards in the past, including young builder of the year in the 2011 Youthbuild UK national awards.

The Construction Excellence Wales awards are being held in Cardiff in June.

Christina Harrhy, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Director of Environment, said: “The CEW awards are seen as the pinnacle of construction excellence in Wales. We have enjoyed success in previous years, but to have one of our brand new schools shortlisted in two categories is something we’re very proud of.

“Shane continues to do himself proud as he progresses his career, and we are proud to have him as part of our team. We’re delighted he has been shortlisted as one of three young people in Wales for this young achiever award.”

She added: “We are also delighted that Cyfle Building Skills, with whom we have strong partnership links with through training and apprenticeships, have been shortlisted for the Leadership and People Development Award. Many of our skilled staff have trained with, or worked alongside, the Cyfle team, and we wish them the success they deserve.”