05.10.2026
Courage doesn’t always mean having all the answers. Sometimes, it means being willing to step forward, take on something new and trust yourself to rise to the challenge.
That’s exactly what Gareth McAllister did when he was presented with the opportunity to take a leading role in delivering Morson Praxis’ Software and Systems Graduate Programme.
His willingness to step outside his comfort zone, take on additional responsibility and invest his time in developing the next generation of engineers has seen Gareth named the winner of our 2026 Courage Award.
Gareth was presented his award at our recent (Western themed!) Morson Group Conference:
From graduate to trainer
What makes Gareth’s contribution particularly impressive is that, not long before taking on the role, he had been on the other side of the programme himself.
Gareth was the first graduate engineer to successfully complete the pilot cohort, giving him first-hand experience of the training and a valuable perspective on how it could continue to develop for future graduates.
When plans changed shortly before the next cohort of four graduates joined the business, Gareth was given the opportunity to put that experience into practice by helping lead their training.
Despite having no previous experience in a formal training role, he embraced the opportunity.
One colleague explained:
“He wasn’t initially expecting that he would be leading the training academy but took this surprise in his stride and provided a fantastic learning opportunity for me and the other graduates.”
Gareth quickly familiarised himself with the requirements for the next cohort and took ownership of helping deliver the programme, approaching the role with calmness, professionalism and a genuine willingness to help others succeed.
Turning experience into leadership
Over the following 12 weeks, Gareth became a key mentor and point of contact for the graduate cohort.
He delivered training, supported the graduates through technical challenges and adapted his approach to accommodate different learning styles, abilities and speeds.
Importantly, he also used his own experience of completing the pilot programme to help shape its continued development.
When he identified opportunities to improve elements of the training, Gareth was prepared to question the approach, suggest changes and seek additional expertise where needed.
One colleague said:
“When he didn’t know all the answers he went away and found them out, challenging the original syllabus and changing the project for the better.”
That combination of curiosity, adaptability and confidence helped create a positive learning environment for the graduates, with Gareth receiving excellent feedback from both the cohort and the trainers working alongside him.
Another nomination described how:
“He stepped out of his comfort zone and went above and beyond.”
Investing in the next generation
Perhaps the most significant part of Gareth’s contribution is his willingness to invest in the development of others so early in his own engineering career.
Having successfully completed the pilot programme, Gareth could understandably have focused solely on his own development and project work. Instead, he chose to share what he had learned and take on additional responsibility for helping the next cohort progress.
Throughout the programme, he helped the graduates build their technical knowledge, understand the wider context of their work and develop the confidence required to take the next steps in their engineering careers.
As one colleague explained:
“He identified a need, stepped outside the boundaries of his own role, and took ownership of helping others succeed.”
His contribution has helped four graduate engineers successfully progress through the programme and into project teams, while also supporting the continued development of an important early-careers pathway for Morson Praxis.
Having the courage to step forward
Our Courage value is about being prepared to embrace challenges, move beyond what feels familiar and take opportunities to make a difference.
Gareth demonstrated all three.
From completing the pilot programme himself to helping deliver it for the next generation of graduates, his journey demonstrates how quickly someone can move from learning to leading when they are willing to step forward.
His colleagues recognised not only what Gareth achieved, but the attitude he brought to it: taking responsibility, adapting quickly, sharing his knowledge and supporting others throughout.
Congratulations, Gareth, on being named our 2026 Courage Award winner – a fantastic example of having the confidence to step outside your comfort zone and help others succeed.
