RSE is delighted to announce that former apprentice and now qualified electrician, Katie Munro, has been named the winner of the prestigious SJIB Edmundson Electrical Apprentice of the Year Award 2026.
Katie joined RSE’s Apprenticeship Programme in 2022 as an Apprentice Electrician and quickly demonstrated the dedication, determination and technical ability that would set her apart. She completed her apprenticeship in November 2025, achieving an outstanding Final Integrated Competence Assessment (FICA) score of 98.33%, reflecting the exceptionally high standards she maintained throughout her training and development.
During her apprenticeship, Katie gained experience across RSE’s Treatment Solutions division, supporting the design, manufacture and build of water treatment solutions throughout the UK. Her work has included industrial installations and maintenance, as well as inspection and testing activities. Notably, she contributed to the fabrication and installation of the world’s largest application of ceramic membrane technology at a water treatment plant, gaining valuable experience on one of the industry’s most innovative projects.
Her success has also earned recognition beyond the electrical industry. Earlier this year, Katie was invited to meet His Majesty The King during a visit showcasing RSE’s capabilities in the water sector. During the engagement, she spoke directly with The King about her role within RSE and her contribution to major water infrastructure projects, highlighting the opportunities available through apprenticeships in engineering and the value they bring to critical national infrastructure.
Speaking about the award, Katie said:
"It took a while for me to get my feet on the ground with my apprenticeship but I've learnt a lot on my journey so far, and feel really privileged to be acknowledged as a finalist, let alone the winner, of the SJIB Apprentice of the Year. A huge thank you to all of my supervisors, colleagues and fellow apprentices at RSE for all of their support."
Mike Campbell, RSE Apprenticeships Programme Manager, said:
"I've had the chance to see Katie grow throughout her apprenticeship and I've been really impressed by the way she has developed. She brings a great attitude to everything she does, works hard in both practical and academic settings, and has shown a real commitment to becoming a skilled and capable electrician.
Katie has taken on a wide range of industrial installation, maintenance, inspection and testing work during her time with the company, and she always carries herself well. She is reliable, pays close attention to detail, and is someone people enjoy working with. She is also very supportive of her peers and younger apprentices, and is always willing to share what she knows and help others build confidence.
On top of that, Katie has been a great advocate for women in the industry, representing the profession and RSE at careers events and participating in women in engineering initiatives. Her FICA mark of 98.33% says a lot about the high standards she sets for herself.
Katie is a credit to RSE and I believe she is a thoroughly deserving winner of this award."
Katie’s award also continues an exceptional track record of success for RSE’s apprenticeship programme. The company has now had an apprentice shortlisted as a finalist in the SJIB Apprentice of the Year Awards for five consecutive years, demonstrating the strength of its commitment to developing highly skilled tradespeople and creating rewarding career pathways within the engineering sector.
The achievement reflects RSE’s continued investment in apprenticeships, providing young people with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience on nationally significant projects while developing the skills required for long-term careers in engineering. Having secured finalists for five years running and now celebrating an overall winner, the programme continues to produce talented individuals who are making a meaningful contribution to critical infrastructure projects across the UK.
As RSE continues to invest in training and development, Katie’s achievement serves as an inspiration to current and future apprentices and demonstrates the significant impact that apprentices can make on nationally important infrastructure projects from the very start of their careers.
