The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Apprentice of the Year

Michael Shield

Said the following about Charlotte Webster:

“Charlotte was one of the first students to enrol at the National College for High Speed Rail (NCHSR) in Birmingham in late 2017, where she spends one day a week specialising in civil engineering. In this environment she is really thriving, benefitting from the hands-on learning experience and combining this with her real-life project experience working for WSP on HS2, Phase 2B, where she continues to impress client and colleagues alike.

Charlotte works hard. Indeed, she continues to hone her exceptional technical ability – she received a triple distinction BTEC in Engineering before joining WSP –and is on track for a strong end of year grade. When not at the NCHSR, she spends four days a week in the Birmingham track team where she leads the production of the HS2 Phase 2B track drawings for various intervention sites, using Microstation CAD software and Projectwise data management systems, having proven herself on CP1. This role carries a great deal of responsibility and requires from Charlotte exceptional time management to ensure she delivers her critical project work and produces technically sound and safe solutions.

Charlotte is a great advocate for apprenticeships internally, using her profile to encourage and motivate others to follow her lead. Already a great role model for other apprentices, and even senior colleagues, Charlotte has exhibited great drive and enthusiasm for promoting STEM careers, admirably representing both WSP and the NCHSR in various media appointments, including an appearing on the BBC One Show to promote the opening of the NCHSR, and an interview for an article in ‘Rail Staff’ magazine, and in the ‘Birmingham Mail’ in which Charlotte explained why she chose an apprenticeship over going to university.

Her thirst for learning as much as possible means she makes full use of ICE-registered lectures through her apprenticeship, and spends spare time attending industry related knowledge sharing events to be, in her words, “the best engineer I can be”. I have every confidence she will achieve her goal to become chartered in civil engineering. Probably sooner than she thinks, knowing Charlotte.

“I am so proud of how well you have done this year and I look forward to seeing what else you do within WSP. Just well done and keep it up as you are smashing this apprenticeship.”

Alexandra Tranter, Apprentice Engagement Manager, The National College for High Speed Rail“