The Pump Centre talks to Young Engineer Awards past winner Craig Viner, recipient of the Apprentice/Craft Award in 2010, to find out how winning this prestigious award aided his career progression.
With the nominations for the Young Engineer Awards 2027 now open, the Pump Centre is reconnecting with previous winners to celebrate their professional and personal accomplishments in the water industry.
Craig Viner currently works as a Senior Programme Manager at Severn Trent Water. In this role, he manages a large portfolio of wastewater treatment projects across the region. overseeing project delivery, ensuring successful outcomes, and supporting teams to achieve programme objectives. Now, Craig looks back over his two decades working in the UK water industry, his professional growth, and how winning a Young Engineer Award in the early stages of his career has fuelled his success since.
What did winning the Young Engineer Award mean to you at the time? Did it change how you viewed your own capabilities or potential as an engineer?
I remember winning the award very clearly, and it remains a proud moment in my career. It was recognition for the hard work I had put in during the early stages of my professional journey. The award also gave me a significant boost in confidence, as I was competing against many talented candidates from across the industry and the country. It reinforced the belief that, with hard work, dedication, and determination, anything is possible.
In what ways did winning a Young Engineer Award help you achieve your professional goals?
Winning the Young Engineer Award came very early in my career, and now, with over 20 years in the industry, I can see the lasting impact it had. The award encouraged me to set clear goals and pursue them with ambition. It challenged me to think differently about my career and inspired me to push myself further than I might otherwise have done.
How has your career path evolved since winning the Young Engineer Award?
The award is something I will always look back on with pride, but it also motivated me to continue striving for more. Over the years, my goals have evolved from personal achievements to broader career and project-focused objectives. However, the same drive, determination, and ambition that helped me succeed early in my career remain just as strong today.
What advice would you give to young engineers who are just starting their careers and aspire to make an impact in the water industry?
My advice would be to embrace new opportunities and not be afraid to fail. Trying different things helps you discover what you enjoy and where your strengths lie. Every setback provides valuable lessons that make you stronger and more experienced.
When I started my career, I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to do, and academically I was fairly average at school. However, that has never held me back. Through hard work, a willingness to learn, and taking opportunities when they arose, I progressed into senior roles that I could never have imagined achieving all those years ago.
What have been your career highlights since winning the Young Engineer Award?
My greatest career highlights are the projects that my teams have successfully delivered over the years. As a manager, I recognise that projects are delivered by the collective efforts of talented people rather than any one individual. Seeing team members grow, develop new skills, and progress from non-project management backgrounds into highly capable project managers has been particularly rewarding and is something I take great pride in.
Throughout your 20-year career at Severn Trent Water, how have you found the transition from a young engineer to more senior roles?
One of the key factors that has accelerated my career has been a willingness to step outside my comfort zone. It is easy to remain in familiar roles for long periods, but real growth often comes from taking on new challenges and embracing the unknown.
Each time you successfully navigate an unfamiliar situation, your confidence grows and you realise you are capable of far more than you initially thought. Those experiences have played a major role in helping me develop both professionally and personally.
What challenges do young engineers face today that are different from the ones you dealt with in the early stages of your career?
The industry has changed significantly over the past 20 years, particularly with advances in technology. While technology provides fantastic tools and opportunities, it should complement, rather than replace, a desire to continually learn and develop. Knowledge remains one of the greatest strengths an engineer can have.
My advice to young engineers is to stay curious. Ask questions, investigate topics for yourself, and actively seek to fill any knowledge gaps. Don't wait to be told what to do or shown the next step. Take ownership of your development.
One thing that hasn't changed is the importance of setting goals and committing to continuous improvement. If you challenge yourself every day to learn, grow, and develop your skills, the opportunities available to you are virtually limitless.
Nominations for the Young Engineer Awards 2027 are now open. Submit your application and join the Young Engineer Awards roll of honour alongside Craig and many more exceptional engineers. The Pump Centre wishes all applicants the best of luck!