Joy for Jones Bros as Rebeca and Osian secure CECA recognition29th Oct 2024

There was double delight for Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK at the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Wales Awards 2024 as Rebeca Jones and Osian Morgan picked up coveted prizes.

Rebeca lifted the Most Promising Trainee Quantity Surveyor trophy, whilst Osian shared the Most Promising Trainee Civil Engineering Technician honour.

Celebrating the brightest and best young people across the sector, the event was held in Cardiff with the support of the CECA Wales Foundation Group, of which Jones Bros sub-agent Gruffydd Rowlands is a key member.

Rebeca, who joined the Ruthin-headquartered civil engineering contractor in December 2022, said: “It’s still a bit weird when people congratulate me on winning the award.

“I had zero expectation going to the awards, and actually thought that the girl who was highly commended had won.

“It was only when they went on to name me as the winner that I realised. It was a very pleasant surprise.”

Rebeca was nominated for the award by Jones Bros head of commercial Lisa Tudor, who was glowing in her praise of the 26-year-old.

With regards to Rebeca’s work on projects such as the A470 Llechwedd to Blaenau Ffestiniog Active Travel and Aberystwyth Advanced Street Lighting, Lisa said: “It has been a pleasure to witness Rebeca’s professional development.

“Since starting at Jones Bros, she has been exposed to a range of different projects and due to her ability to learn quickly, I’ve had confidence in asking her to complete a range of QS activities, which she did impressively.

“Rebeca is an excellent team player, and she can quickly settle into a group, be it a tender team or project team.

“She can also work independently and it’s worth noting that she has been doing so as the quantity surveyor on projects without a senior QS to guide her day to day.

“Instead, Rebeca has worked directly with the contract manager and simply asked me for assistance when needed.”

Rebeca, who has started the process of becoming a chartered quantity surveyor, added: “I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without the support of the people I work with, whether that’s the QS team or the contract managers.

“It has been a fantastic learning experience getting to watch them carrying out their work, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Osian is equally excited about what the coming months and years hold for him at Jones Bros having also lifted an award in the Welsh capital.

The 23-year-old has been with the civil engineering contractor since November 2020, working on projects including the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass, Valley Court Phase Two, Holyhead Border Control, and Dinorwig Power Station.

Osian, who hails from Pwllheli, said: “It has been a really enjoyable time at Jones Bros so far and the goal is to continue progressing up the ladder.

“It was great to attend the awards and network with people in the industry, and it was brilliant to win an award.

“It was completely unexpected, so I was in shock when my name was read out.

“It’s always fantastic to be recognised for the work you are doing, and being on projects as big and as significant to North Wales as the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass is a feather in the cap.”

Higher apprentice Osian was nominated by contracts director Hefin Lloyd-Davies, who said: “Osian has shown significant progression in training through our apprenticeship scheme and has made great advancements in his personal development as well.

“He has a drive and willingness to learn whilst also providing vital mentorship to younger engineers, thus showing the future management potential of Osian.”

Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 500 people.

The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.

The company continues to run apprenticeships with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. It has recruited hundreds of apprentices over the years.