Dr Thahirah Jalal, Unison Networks’ Investment Specialist, has won the New Zealand Electricity Engineers Association (EEA) Young Engineer of the Year Award at the recent EEA Conference. Unison Contracting Services also won the National EEA Workplace Safety Award.
Both Awards were presented by the NZ Minister of Energy, Hon Simon Bridges.
Unison Group Chief Executive Ken Sutherland said the double win was an outstanding achievement for the company.
“Being recognised by an esteemed organisation like the EEA is testament to the continued hard-work and focus of the Unison Group to deliver world-class outcomes for its community and customers.”
He said Dr Jalal’s award, which recognised great achievement and leadership within the electrical supply industry, highlighted her consistently excellent work.
“Thahirah continues to be instrumental in advancing the smart technologies that set our network apart from others in New Zealand, specifically around the development of algorithms for power transformers.”
As part of the prize, Dr Jalal will travel to Tokyo in November to represent New Zealand at the 2014 IEC Young Professionals Programme, the premier international forum for upcoming young engineers and engineering managers working in the field of electro-technology.
“Due to Japan not often publishing material in English it will be a great opportunity to bridge the gap by networking and learning a bit about what is happening in the Industry over there,” said Ms Jalal. The EEA Workplace Safety Award, won by Unison Contracting Services, recognises excellence in health and safety, including achievement or contribution to workplace safety by an organisation or individual.
Unison Contracting Services’ submission detailing its ‘Great Safety PerformanceTM (GSPTM)” initiative was commended by judges as ‘simply outstanding’.
“The electricity industry is continuing to focus on workplace and public safety and is recognised as one of the leaders,” said Peter Berry, EEA Executive Director.
“The award entries this year were a perfect illustration of that, with many high quality initiatives that are delivering real results around New Zealand.”
“With safety and wellbeing being a core value at Unison, there is a continual focus on excellence and improvement in relation to safety culture, policies, and procedures.
“We are delighted our GSP programme was recognised through this award, but most pleasing is that our people, and our communities, are kept safe,” said Mr Sutherland
