19.10.2026
Morson Praxis colleagues Gary Gardner, Mahnoor Shahid and Haroon Azhar joined StateTalking to deliver a Green Careers presentation to 100 Year 8 pupils at St Patrick’s RC High School in Eccles, exploring sustainability, Net Zero and the opportunities available through engineering.
Helping young people understand the careers available to them starts with showing them what those careers look like in practice. On 9 October, Morson Praxis colleagues visited St Patrick’s RC High School in Eccles to deliver a Green Careers presentation to a whole Year 8 assembly, in partnership with StateTalking.
Morson Praxis M&E Director Gary Gardner was joined by two colleagues who recently joined the business in 2026: Mahnoor Shahid, Intermediate Mechanical Design Engineer based in Manchester, and Haroon Azhar, Graduate Mechanical Engineer based in Sheffield.
Together, they introduced approximately 100 pupils to the role engineering can play in creating a more sustainable future, while sharing their own career journeys and demonstrating the range of opportunities available within the industry.
Inspiring future engineers
The visit reflects Morson Praxis’s commitment to supporting the next generation of engineering talent and helping young people understand the opportunities available to them, regardless of their background or the route they choose into the industry. The pupils heard first-hand about engineering careers, different routes into the industry and the experiences of professionals working in the sector.
This aligns with StateTalking’s belief that “you can’t be what you can’t see”, connecting state-school pupils with relatable role models and helping them discover opportunities they may not have previously considered.
The session also highlighted Morson Group’s wider commitment to making a positive difference through charitable initiatives, Women in Industry, Sustainability and STEM support.
Meet the team
Mahnoor Shahid, Intermediate Mechanical Design Engineer:
Based in Manchester, Mahnoor joined Morson Praxis in 2026 and brings experience across major energy and infrastructure projects, including Hinkley Point C, Hinkley Point B, Sizewell B and HS2.
Originally from Italy, Mahnoor moved to the UK to pursue her education, completing a BEng in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering Design at the University of Salford. Her career demonstrates how engineering can open doors across different sectors, from nuclear energy to rail and the design of more energy-efficient buildings.
Reflecting on the visit, Mahnoor said:
“Teaching sustainability in a year 8 school assembly was a fantastic STEM initiative, seeing 100 children being mesmerised by the green future expecting them is a unique experience. Being able to talk about the 2050 Net Zero promise with the future adults that will be living in that environment is a rewarding opportunity: we could see their innocent curiosity first hand and being able to motivate them in dreaming bigger was a blessing”
Her advice to the pupils was to be ambitious, dream big and believe in what they can achieve.
Haroon Azhar, Graduate Mechanical Engineer:
Based in Sheffield, Haroon joined Morson Praxis in 2026 as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, bringing experience in mechanical engineering and an academic background in sustainable energy.
Originally from Pakistan, Haroon moved to the UK and completed a master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Engineering at the University of East London. Before joining Morson Praxis, he worked as a Mechanical Engineer in the power plant sector. He now contributes to designing buildings of the future, applying his engineering knowledge to help deliver more sustainable outcomes.
Reflecting on the visit, Haroon said:
“Taking part in the Morson Praxis STEM Ambassador initiative was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the next generation and help them understand the exciting possibilities that the future may hold. Speaking to the Year 8 kids at St Patrick’s was a rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. Children are naturally curious, and it is important that we continue to encourage and nurture that curiosity. The session provided a great platform to showcase what Morson Praxis does and to inspire young people to consider becoming part of our industry in the future. I am grateful to Morson Praxis and Gary Gardner for giving me the opportunity to be involved in such a worthwhile initiative.”
His advice to the pupils was to be bold, take risks and help others.
Supporting the next generation
Through STEM engagement initiatives such as this, Morson Praxis continues to share its expertise, encourage curiosity and help young people explore how they could contribute to a more sustainable future.
