Young Engineer of the Year
Yolan Pillay SMEC South Africa
JOINT WINNER
He joined SMEC South Africa in 2018 to lead the Planning and Traffic Engineering Division
Y
in KwaZulu-Natal. As the function manager, his key role is the commercial operation of the unit. However, Yolan’s specialist technical
olan Pillay is a 34-year-old
skills led to him playing a vital role on projects
professional engineer with
within the region and across the country.
13 years’ experience in the planning, design and
Apart from his commercial and technical duties, Yolan is actively involved in several
implementation of transport-related projects.
important initiatives within SMEC South Africa.
He graduated with a BSc in Engineering (Civil)
These include the training and development
from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2007
of junior staff members, enhancing innovation
and subsequently registered for his MSc in
in the transportation sector, and developing a
Engineering at the same institution.
cutting-edge project management system.
Yolan joined Royal HaskoningDHV as a
Yolan actively maintains his involvement
graduate engineer after receiving a bursary
in industry bodies and their associated
from the organisation for his undergraduate
initiatives and activities, providing him
studies. This was instrumental in Yolan’s skills
with an opportunity to make a meaningful
development and created the foundation of
contribution to social and community
his career and technical expertise.
upliftment initiatives.
