11/12/2014
Press release: for immediate release

The NI award excellence prizes to young professionals

The Nuclear Institute awarded prizes to Natalie Baines (Nuvia Ltd), Mathew McKay (Rolls-Royce Plc) and Lynsay Kelly (Sellafield Ltd), last weekend, as upcoming young people in the nuclear industry.

Natalie Baines was selected as winner of the NI Young Technician/Apprentice Award as a rising star in the industry and for displaying excellence in her role at Nuvia Ltd.

Natalie Baines said: "I am honoured to receive such an award in a highly challenging industry. I hope that this achievement will further inspire others who wish to pursue a career within the Nuclear Industry and in Engineering."

Natalie is also helping to mentor others as she progresses in her career.

Mathew McKay received the NI Young Professionals Award for the success he has achieved in the last ten years since beginning his career at Rolls-Royce Plc.

Mat joined Rolls-Royce as an apprentice in 2004 and has rapidly progressed through the organisation in increasingly senior roles as part of the Engineering High Potential Scheme.

Mat McKay said: "I’m hugely honoured to be selected as the Nuclear Institute’s Young Professional for 2014.  Throughout my ten year career at Rolls-Royce I’ve been given vast opportunities to develop and progress my career in the nuclear sector, whilst allowing me to truly embed the key principles of the Nuclear Delta in my approach to day-to-day life.  

"My message to those in the early stage of their nuclear journey is that with the right focus, ambition and mentorship there are no limits to how far you can take your career in this exciting industry."

Both Mat and Natalie were presented with certificates for their awards by NI President Tim Chittenden at the NIA NI Annual Dinner on Thursday evening 4th December.

Lynsay Kelly collected the annual Jack Edwards Prize at the Sellafield Excellence Awards Dinner on Friday 5th December which was awarded to her for outstanding performance in her role as a control systems engineer at Sellafield.

Lynsay Kelly said: "It was overwhelming to find out that I had won the Jack Edwards prize, I was so happy when I got the news.  I am thankful to Sellafield for supporting me through my personal development and it's great to see my hard work paying off. I feel, with the support of the company, I have put myself at an advantage early on in my career."

Success clearly runs in the family as Lynsay's sister Stephanie, also at Sellafield Ltd, won Apprentice of the Year at this year's Golden Apple Awards.

The Jack Edwards Prize has been awarded to outstanding individuals since 2004, whereas the NI Young Technician/Apprentice Award and the NI Young Professional Award are both new for 2014.