We’re delighted to introduce the winner of our inaugural Inspiring the Future Competition, revealed at the DfT Special Recognition Apprentice Awards during this year’s Innovation and Learning Festival – congratulations to Leanna Dinnegan!
Leanna was presented with a certificate signed by the Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, along with a trophy and £1,000 cash prize, in recognition of her creative and thoughtfully developed entry. Her submission showcased a practical and scalable way to engage young people in careers within the highways and transport technology sector.
About the Competition
To help address the growing skills shortage in the sector, we launched the Inspiring the Future competition to uncover new ideas that could spark interest in careers in highways and transport. We invited apprentices to share concepts, campaigns, and tools that would inspire the next generation.
The response was outstanding. We received a wide range of compelling entries, from innovative outreach initiatives to hands-on engagement tools. The standard of submissions was incredibly high, making the judges’ decision a difficult one, but one entry stood out.
Meet Our Winner: Leanna Dinnegan
A former apprentice herself, Leanna’s winning concept, HATT in a Box, is a practical, ready-to-use outreach toolkit, designed to support professionals in delivering engaging workshops in schools and in their own communities.
“Winning the competition felt incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about recognition, it felt like a moment that validated the importance of investing in young people and promoting careers in highways and transport. As someone who started their journey as an apprentice, I know firsthand how impactful early outreach and support can be. To now be recognised for trying to offer that same support to the next generation is a full-circle moment I’m so proud of.”
Leanna’s idea was inspired by her own experience attending a careers fair, a turning point that introduced her to opportunities in the industry. She has already piloted her workshop in a local secondary school, with impressive results:
- 98% of students enjoyed the activity
- 90% said they learned something new about the built environment
“I wanted to create something scalable and simple that other professionals across the UK could deliver in their own communities. Hence the idea for a future virtual resource box. It includes everything from quizzes and walkabout guides to a full presentation structure. My hope is that by making it easier for others to deliver these workshops, we’ll reach more students and show them that this industry is exciting, rewarding, and full of opportunities, especially through apprenticeships!”
What the Judges said:
Kerry Winstanley, Finance and Operations Director at LCRIG said:
“We received a really high level of submissions with some fantastic ideas to help attract new talent into the sector. Leanna’s HATT in a Box stood out as something incredibly well thought through and ready to make a real difference. We’re really excited to see it come to life.”
What’s Next for Leanna?
In addition to receiving a £1,000 cash prize and formal recognition at the DfT Apprentice Awards, Leanna has been invited to join the LCRIG Apprenticeship Task Group – a passionate group of apprentices working together to shape the future of outreach and engagement in the sector.
Leanna brings creativity, insight, and lived experience to the group and she’s already begun helping turn her award-winning idea into a national initiative.
Watch this Space!
Leanna’s journey is only just beginning, and we’re incredibly proud to support her and the many inspiring apprentices who are helping to raise the profile of the sector.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to work together to promote HATT in a Box and inspire the next generation.
Image – LCRIG: (Left to Right) Leanna Dinnegan and Aimee Dewse, Marketing Manager at Multevo – Competition Sponsor.