A Hampshire student has won a prestigious award for his work during a placement year.

University of Plymouth student Ely Coleman, from Fleet, was given the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Young Achiever Award for his technical skills and initiative.

The MEng (Hons) civil and coastal engineering student was named the winner of the University of Plymouth Industrial Placement Award at the CECA South West ceremony in Torquay.

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CECA South West chair Phil Ramsden with Ely Coleman (Image: CECA) He was recognised for his work as a trainee site engineer with KierBAM on the enabling works for a submarine dry dock refurbishment in Devonport Dockyard.

During his placement, he undertook surveying and setting out, developed and applied knowledge of computer aided design, and represented KierBAM at careers fairs.

CECA South West chair Phil Ramsden said: "Ely clearly has a very bright future ahead of him.

"His maturity, desire to learn and commitment to teamwork was evident through his placement and marks him out as someone to watch for the future.

"His enthusiasm also shone through in his community outreach activities and his ability to communicate the rewarding careers available to young men and women in an industry fundamental to the region’s transport, energy and environmental infrastructure and economic success.

"As such, he is an impressive role model."