On 21st November 2024, the ICorr Young Engineers Programme (YEP) reached its grand finale with a vibrant presentation evening hosted at the Institute of Corrosion London Branch. The event, led by Danny Burkle and Izabela Gajewska, marked the culmination of months of effort by participants, mentors, and organisers. It was a night to celebrate technical brilliance, teamwork, and innovative thinking in the field of corrosion science. The YEP has been a foundation of ICorr’s commitment to developing future leaders in the corrosion industry, providing early-career professionals with opportunities to develop their skills, engage with industry experts, and tackle real-world engineering challenges.
The event was not just a competition but a celebration of innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. The evening also provided an excellent networking platform, connecting young professionals with industry experts.
The Event – 2024 YEP Final Case Study Presentation
A total of 24 early-career professionals from leading organisations participated in this year’s programme. This year’s case study challenge centred around a real-world failure of dump condenser heads at a power station, requiring teams to identify root causes, propose solutions, and develop long-term mitigation strategies.
The six teams presented their findings to a panel of experienced judges, each bringing a unique perspective to the evaluation. The judging panel included Stephen Tate, Gareth Hinds, Madeleine Davidson, and Chris Williams. Their collective expertise ensured that the participants received insightful feedback, enhancing the educational value of the programme.
A highlight of the evening was the keynote speeches delivered by Izabela Gajewska and Stephen Tate. Izabela talked about the Importance of Corrosion Management, drawing attention to the staggering global cost of corrosion—estimated at $2.5 trillion annually (£90B within UK)—and the critical need for effective collaboration, education, and risk management strategies to mitigate these impacts.
Stephen Tate followed with an inspiring message, reflecting on the YEP’s vital role in advancing the field of corrosion. He highlighted how the programme fosters innovation, builds professional confidence, and develops the leaders of tomorrow.
Programme Achievements: This year’s programme was a testament to YEP’s growing impact. With over 60 applications, the highest ever, and extensive engagement on social media generating 10,000+ interactions, the programme continues to draw attention from the global corrosion community. Since its inception in 2009, YEP has trained over 100 early-career professionals, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to excel in their careers, many of these YEP graduates are now actively participating within ICorr.
Recognising Excellence: The Winners
The culmination of the evening was the announcement of the winners. Team 1, mentored by Ali Morshed, took the top honours for their comprehensive and innovative approach to the case study challenge. The team consisted of Álvaro González Fuentes, Amy Johnstone, Ben Hudson and Kishan Nittur Ramesh, whose outstanding teamwork and technical analysis set them apart.
In addition to the team award, Rochelle Holness was recognised as the Winning Individual for her exceptional technical contributions and presentation skills. Rochelle’s dedication and leadership earned her a coveted place in the AMPP Leadership Programme, where she will represent ICorr at the upcoming AMPP conference in Nashville. Mentors provided invaluable guidance to participants, helping them navigate the technical and practical challenges of the case study. The mentors included: Ali Morshed, Rob Doggett, Chris Googan, Stephen Shapcott, Andrew Sturgeon and Shengqi Zhou.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks were extended to the mentors, judges, and ICorr experts who contributed to the programme’s success, including individuals such as Stephen Tate, Yunnan Gao, and others and, our event sponsors BP, AMPP, Wood Thilsted, Intertek CAPCIS and LBBC Baskerville.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 ICorr YEP Final Presentation Evening was a resounding success, highlighting the importance of nurturing the next generation of corrosion professionals. Congratulations to all participants, particularly the winners, Team 1 and Rochelle Holness, for their remarkable achievements. A comprehensive report on the evening, featuring detailed insights from the presentations and feedback from the judges, will be published in the upcoming issue of Corrosion Management. Stay tuned for more on the outstanding work showcased during this unforgettable evening.
Join the Young ICorr Committee
Young ICorr is currently looking for new committee members. This is a fantastic opportunity for early career engineers, scientists, and researchers in the field of corrosion to get involved, gain experience, and make valuable connections. If you are interested, please contact Young ICorr for more information at icorryep@gmail.com
Photo: Winning Team Presenting.
Photo: All YEP Participants and Organisers.
Photo: YEP Winning Team: Team 1. Left to Right: Yunnan Gao, Kishan Nittur Ramesh, Amy Johnstone, Ali Moshed, Álvaro González Fuentes, Ben Hudson.
Photo: Standout Individual – Rochelle Holness.
