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Environmental Placement Programme Awards Ceremony 2021

The Power Today to Change for Good.

On Thursday 25th November we had the pleasure of hosting our annual prestigious EPP Awards Ceremony at Yotel, Edinburgh.

During the day we celebrated the achievements and contributions made by students and graduates in helping to build a more sustainable Scotland.

The EPP links students and graduates with organisations across Scotland and participants undertake projects with a green focus. They vary from environmental management and carbon behaviour strategies to active travel, waste management and community engagement. The programme offers businesses the chance to engage with some of Scotland’s brightest, most dynamic students and graduates helping your business move forward.

Every year, the programme Final Awards Ceremony provides candidates with the opportunity to showcase the outcomes and achievements of their projects.

This year there was 5 presentations from placements within 2050 Climate Group, Transition University of St Andrews, Ooni, NECCUS and The Scottish Wholesale Association.

Throughout the afternoon programme participants presented their achievements to a panel of expert judges – Amy Burnett at Mitie, Penny George at Sky Within, Lee Fitzpatrick at Outlaw Creative and Kathleen Painter who was runner up at the 2020 awards ceremony and now works at Energy Saving Trust. The Judges looked for the individual who had demonstrated the most creativity, energy, and initiative in producing positive results for the host organisation.

Our fabulous finalists were:

Elspeth Simpson, Ooni Pizza Ovens

Gordon Walker, Neccus

Jessica Palmer, Scottish Wholesale Association

Eve Redhead, 2050 Climate Group

Tamzin Dewar, Cycling Scotland

Each presentation detailed the finalists project aims, ambitions, challenges, and outcomes.

The Results:

Most Enterprising Environmental Intern 2021 – Elspeth Simpson, Sustainability Coordinator at Ooni Pizza Ovens.

Pictured: The award for Most Enterprising Environmental Intern 2021. Thanks to Harmonies in Wood for designing and creating the award.

Here is a snapshot of the achievements from Elspeth's placement.

 

Judges Commendation - Tamzin Dewar, Campus Cycling Officer at Transition University of St Andrews. Funded by Cycling Scotland.

Here is a snapshot of the achievements from Tamzin's placement

The awards ceremony not only celebrated our placements but also recognised the actions of COP26 and what the future may look like for the green economy.

We were thrilled to have Martin Valenti, Director of Net Zero at South of Scotland Enterprise shine some positivity and motivation on COP26. We have our guest speaker Adam Bastock, Founder to Small 99 presenting on the topic of COP26 For Small Business: What now!

Finally, thank you to Lorna Slater MSP - Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy & Biodiversity who came along to meet our finalist and to find out first-hand how students/graduates are making a difference.

The day provided an opportunity to meet like minded businesses and inspire each other to take the next steps towards net zero. We would like to thank the host organisations who have offered the placements and to highlight the environmental impact the placements have had on the organisations. Without their partnership, this programme could not take place.

Our winner Elspeth Simpson & Tamzin Dewar – runner-up with all our finalists.

Thanks to Lee Live for the event photography.