“It’s been great as a woman working in the nuclear industry… I want to speak to other females to encourage them to go back to work.”
Monika Czyz-Grzesik was pronounced the winner of the ECITB New Entrant of the Year accolade for 2024 at the 12th annual ECI Training and Development Awards, which celebrated excellence in training and development.
The mother of twins, who works for Cavendish Nuclear as a trade labourer for the MEH Alliance on the Hinkley Point C nuclear site project, was honoured at a prestigious ceremony at One Marylebone in London organised by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).
Monika, from Bridgwater, came out on top after being shortlisted in the final three for the award, which celebrates learners who are working towards or have successfully completed an ECITB new entrant programme within the previous 12 months.
The submission for the award highlighted how Monika demonstrated resilience and tenacity after moving to the UK from Poland.
The 38-year-old, who is mother to 10-year-old twins, studied in evenings via flexible delivery to complete the Hinkley Support Operative Bronze Programme – a collaborative training programme between the ECITB and EDF to prepare new entrants to the industry to work on the nuclear power station site in Somerset.
The judging panel, made up of Mark Fotheringham from Infinity Engineering, Tracey Shelley from BCECA and John Webster from Applus UK, recognised how she excelled during her time on the project and is now working towards the Gold Programme. They also noted her passion for championing the industry to other women and mothers.
“Winning the award is really motivating. I can see all that hard work was worthwhile.
“I was working in a school canteen to fit around school hours to help take care of my children, but when they reached the age of nine a year ago I decided to move back to a career path and try something new. That’s why I decided to give it a go with Hinkley Point C. I can say it was the best decision of my life, it’s been great.
“At first, I didn’t believe in my capabilities, but the HSO Programme, EDF and all the people on the project have really helped me.
“I was a bit hesitant at first, but it’s been great as a woman working in the nuclear industry and I want to encourage other females to give it a go. I want to speak to other females to encourage them to go back to work and Hinkley Point is a good place to start.”
Monika Czyz-Grzesik
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