Plymouth engineer achieves professional award

Plymouth engineer Jack Walker, who has worked on major flooding and coastal schemes across the South West, has been awarded membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the oldest professional engineering association in the world.

Jack, who went to Ridgeway School (now Plympton Academy) before studying Civil and Coastal Engineering at the University of Plymouth, plays a key role in promoting civil engineering as a career to young people across the city. He’s the chair of the ICE Plymouth City Club and Networking Coordinator for the University of Plymouth Civil Engineering Mentoring Scheme.

As an Environment Agency Framework Section Engineer with contracting giant Kier, Jack is currently working on the Exmouth Tidal Defence Scheme, providing flood improvement works for 1,400 properties around Exmouth town. Previously, he worked as a Section Engineer on the £10 million Devonport Dock Upgrade and Sea Dividing Wall, a vital project to modernise and improve historic dockyard facilities.

Jack achieved Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Member (MICE) accreditation from ICE on Monday, 2 December 2019, following a rigorous professional review process in October this year. He said:

“Gaining this accreditation is about much more than getting letters after my name, it’s a recognition of the highest possible professionals standard and dedication to lifelong learning. It’s a great privilege to be a civil engineer in Devon, enabling me to work on infrastructure projects that make a difference to local communities. I’m now hoping to go on to achieve Chartership accreditation with the ICE as I continue to promote civil engineering in the Plymouth area through the work of the City Club.”

Meeting all the requirements of the ICE’s Member Professional Review, Jack has achieved a professionally qualified grade of membership. ICE represents more than 92,000 civil engineers and technicians across the world and over 6,000 in the South West, who design, build and maintain transport, water, energy, waste and flood infrastructure.

Miranda Housden, ICE South West Regional Director, commented:

“This is a significant personal and career achievement for Jack, and we are proud to see him progress from Graduate Member to an Incorporated Engineer Member of ICE. He joins a community of professionals who are committed to shaping, improving and protecting the infrastructure on which we all depend. ICE congratulates Jack on his success and looks forward to supporting him throughout his career.”

The ICE Plymouth City Club is run by a committee of volunteers who organise a programme of events on civil engineering topics, which are open to ICE members, schools and the public. The club is currently looking for new volunteers from the ranks of the local ICE membership, including students and apprentices. Recent successful events have included a site tour of the new Barcode development and presentations on the infrastructure development programme for Devonport Dockyard and the new South West Water Mayflower Water Treatment Works.

Plymouth City Club is planning an exciting schedule of events for 2020 with more information available at ice.org.uk/southwest or by calling 01752 267618.