The Construction Development Alliance (CDA) hosted Our biannual Young Person in Construction Awards on Thursday, the 25th of May, 2023, at Burnley Mechanics.

The Young Person in Construction Awards (YPCA) 2023 aims to support, congratulate and encourage young people to continue their construction pursuits.  CDA wants to recognise these young people’s daily work and let them know they are seen, recognised and appreciated.

As fully-fledged construction professionals, we can all fondly reflect on our College and Uni days.

Many can still relate to the many stressful nights trying to reach that deadline, laughing at getting the simple things wrong or maybe crying due to all the stress.

We have all been young and fresh in the workplace, and we can all admit it is a stressful time to decide what you want to do with your life and if the job you are training for is genuinely for you.

Can you think of that one tutor, professor or employer that had your back while you were learning? That person who helped scolded and praised you.

I’m positive we all have one or more.

Now ask yourself if you would be where you are without them pushing you and getting you to think outside the box. Some may say yes, others no. That is up to you to decide.

Making a better Today by supporting the Young People of Tomorrow!

With the YPCA, our goal is to encourage these young people and give them the boost to continue.

The main sponsor for the evening was Sika; they are a specialist chemical company with a leading position in developing and producing systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and motor vehicle industry. With this help from Sika, the YPCA welcomed a special celebrity personality, Charlie Luxton; Charlie is known for his shows, such as Channel Four’s – Building the Dream – Alongside his TV Shows, Charlie is an architectural designer who writes and speaks about the environment and sustainable architecture.

The chosen charity for the YPCA 23 was the Horsfall and 42nd Street, whose aim is to help young people with their mental health and well-being. You may have noticed that many young people have struggled through the last few years, and Covid-19 has taken a massive toll on their self-esteem. Why not donate today using our event fundraiser page if you haven’t already? Our Justgiving page will continue to accept donates till October 2023.

What Awards?

The Awards are a way for our members and the local communities to get together and celebrate the new professionals for their hard work and achievements.

There is a saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” yet, it takes a similar support system to build a lasting career. As construction professionals, the CDA and their guests support all young people building their careers in the construction industry today.

These awards are a way of supporting these young people.

Left to right – Max Colligan (Sika), Ben Hall (Overcoming Adversity), Abi Brierley (Young Construction Professional and Overall Winner), Laura Gregson (Stand in for Sam Gregson – Young Construction Designer), Holly Duffy (Young Construction Apprentice), Connor Lynch (Young Construction Environmentalist), Charlie Luxton (Guest Speaker), Reid Lewis (HDP) and Emily Millar (Hawthorn Estates LTD)

The categories are:

The CDA members and their guests are extremely proud of the winner of this year’s YPCA.

As a thank you for all the Winner’s hard work, they receive a certificate, trophy, and a personalised goodie bag to help them in their construction career.

There is a special Award that is held as a surprise for the night that was sponsored by Forbes Solicitors for the Overall Winner.

This year the Overall Winner was Abigale Brierley, who won the Young Construction Professional. The overall winner Award was sponsored by Forbes Solicitors.

About the Evening

The evening started with a drinks canopy sponsored by Booth King Associates, which allowed the Members and guests a chance to network.

In the auditorium, Burnley College sponsored the tables.

The 42nd Street Charity, Sika, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Reid Lewis, Emily Millar, and Charlie Luxton made presentations throughout the night. This was followed by the awards being presented to the winners and the announcement of the overall winner.

On the night, Abi Brierley, the Young Construction Professional and Overall Winner, thanked those who supported her and added the wise words, “Whether it be an 18-year-old girl from Burnley, whether it be an apprentice, whether it be a graduate – Give them a chance, coz they might just be the future.”

For the evening charity, the CDA arranged sponsored hampers to be won as a thank-you to those who donated to the charity. Each hamper was sponsored by the companies listed below:

With a whopping £1813.00 raised on the night, donations are still available using our JustGiving fundraising page. Donate Today