The countdown has begun with the launch of the 2021 HVACR Leadership Awards only three days away.
Nominations for this year’s awards officially open this Friday, 1 May, 2021.
Once again there are seven award categories the only change is a more simplified nomination process. Nominees simply provide their contact details and they will be notified if they have made it to the next round.
This is when nominees will be asked to answer a more detailed questionnaire.
One of the most popular award categories is the Male and Female Rising Star Award. This dual award recognises new talent.
ABB’s head of motion, Michael Briggs, said today’s rising stars are the leaders of tomorrow which is why it is important to support them early in their career.
This is just one of the reasons why ABB has continued to support the Male and Female Rising Star categories, two awards that nurture high achievers under the age of 30.
“It is just one way we can encourage innovation, new ideas, and develop opportunities; we have a responsibility to sponsor initiatives that encourage young talent,” he said.
“I think awards programs help to recognise outstanding achievement and in the case of the Rising Star awards, recognising future potential.
“Our industry can be tough. We have all seen examples where unrewarded or unrecognised young talent leaves our industry and this loss is just bad management.”
Briggs said digitalisation is changing the industry and young people entering the market come into it with fresh eyes which can sometimes disrupt the status quo.
“But change does not happen overnight and our Rising Stars will need to keep persisting to see success,” he said.
“They should try not to be discouraged if their new ideas are not always accepted immediately.”
ABB’s HVAC segment manager for drives, Paul Burrows, said nurturing young talent and ensuring they have every opportunity to succeed is part of the ABB DNA.
“It is even more important in trying times and what a year it has been,” he said.
“It takes resilience to succeed in tough times, this is when leadership is critical and when rising stars can be inspirational.
“These are the times when we seek out those that rise above and see a path forward.”
Burrows said today’s rising stars need determination and flexibility.
“If past recipients are an indication of what we will see in 2021 then the future of our industry looks bright,” he said.