Midland Metro Alliance’s skills lead scoops education accolade

The Midland Metro Alliance’s head of engagement and skills has been recognised for her work in inspiring the next generation into careers in construction at the prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers West Midlands Awards.

Rose Rees scooped the Bob Dunn Award for her tireless efforts to promote construction as an inclusive industry to schools and colleges across the region. The Award is presented in memory of the late Bob Dunn, who made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of civil engineering in the West Midlands.  

Rose was instrumental in setting up the alliance’s Trailblazer Apprenticeship in Light Rail, helping unemployed people gain new skills and crucial experience in the construction sector. The programme also won the Education and Inspiration gong at the ICE awards in 2020.

She said: “I am honoured to have won such a prestigious award for our work in securing talent for the future. It’s important that young people are given the opportunities and support to develop a career in the construction industry and this award is a true reflection of the hard work and dedication of our teams.”

The Midland Metro Alliance’s work to restore the historic Parkhead Viaduct structure in Dudley was also highly commended in the Heritage category.

Peter Cushing, alliance director, said: “It is brilliant to see the success of our teams at yesterday’s ceremony. Being recognised for the complex engineering the team has achieved as well as Rose’s tireless work leading our skills workstream is fantastic. Well done to all involved for such a remarkable achievement.”

Pictured: Rose Rees celebrating her award with Sam Uren, engineering director of SLC Rail, and Claire Burrows, chair of women in Rail West Midlands.