Ricardo Miller’s rapid rise from apprentice to one of E.ON Controls Solutions’ top BMS Service Commissioning Engineers in just three years saw him take home this year’s Building Controls Industry Association (�鶹ԭ��) Apprentice of the Year award.

With apprentices the lifeblood of the building controls and automation sector, this category is always keenly contested and this year was no different. Ricardo’s passion for the industry and drive to innovate saw him fight off incredibly fierce competition to scoop the award at the 2025 �鶹ԭ�� Awards ceremony held at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham this May.  

Open to any individuals that have participated in an approved Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) or building controls apprenticeship scheme, the Apprentice of the Year award recognises those who have best demonstrated the achievements gained and their commitment to advancements in their career.  

It also recognises the value of training to the whole sector, along with the importance of continuous professional development. The judging panel not only assessed the achievements to date and the application of knowledge but also the evidence of commitment to the course and the industry in general, in addition to a supporting testimonial from a tutor or employer.  

While there were many incredible nominations and submissions, Ricardo was a very deserving winner.    

The entry 

Ricardo came into the industry with no experience within BEMS, but had a real desire to learn, and to learn quickly. Within just three years, he has progressed substantially and is now considered one of E.ON Controls Solutions’ top Schneider engineers.  

In fact, he now runs his own site, continually coming up with new ideas to improve the way the BEMS operates to improve the customers’ experience. He also works with E.ON Controls Solutions’ sales team to help them quote for all new works, such as Newark Hospital’s lifecycle upgrade, and numerous other quotes.  

With a real passion for the industry and a drive to identify innovative ways of improving all aspects of his BEMS software writing, Ricardo has rapidly become a multi-system expert within the industry.  

Testimony to this is the fact Ricardo has passed the Tridium course with a very high percentage mark.   

Darren Washington, E.ON Controls Solutions Leeds Technical Manager, highlighted Ricardo’s incredible determination and ability to quickly expand his skillset. He said: “Ricardo’s drive and desire will no doubt take him to an extremely high-level engineer in the future and we honestly believe he could achieve great things. Ricardo has a real gift of absorbing knowledge and he’s never been content with learning new skills until he has mastered them. 

“The way Ricardo has developed since his arrival has been truly astonishing and is a great asset to this company. His dedication and hard work are evident in all aspects of his work.” 

Why they won 

As one of E.ON Controls Solutions’ BMS Service Commissioning Engineers, Ricardo has a prominent role in the implementation of software and commissions at important sites across the UK. In addition to helping the sales team, he runs various quotes works, such as Newark Hospital’s lifecycle upgrade, and has even converted Mansfield Hospital with new hardware, software and graphics. 

While working on the Mansfield Hospital project, he also completed full boiler upgrade works to ensure their heating and cooling systems were working in the most energy efficient way possible.  

Highlighting his desire to reach his goals as quickly as possible and become a multi-system expert within the BEMS industry, Ricardo completed and built his own BMS panel and software during his spare time. This innovative piece of technology was actually taken into a �鶹ԭ�� course and meeting for the rest of the apprentices to learn from as part of a demonstration exercise.  

Despite having come into the industry with no previous BMS expertise or experience, Ricardo has very quickly amassed the skills and expertise needed to become one of E.ON Controls Solutions’ top engineers. As someone constantly coming up with ideas to improve the ways in which the BEMS operates to improve the customers’ building management experience and, in fact, built his own BMS panel and software, Ricardo has applied the knowledge gained during his apprenticeship to great success.  

This was evidenced by the recent comments of a customer, who said: “Ricardo consistently goes above and beyond to complete tasks on a demanding and busy site. He carries out his duties diligently and works on unexpected requests to meet short timescales. 

“He has settled in on-site brilliantly since E.ON commenced the BEMS contract and while a ‘subcontractor’, he is now fully integrated and seen as a member of the Skanska site team. He meets each challenge with good humour and is focused on client satisfaction.” 

Find out more about the 2026 awards