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Former student reaches SAS: Who Dares Wins final

Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

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Faye on the latest series of SAS: Who Dares Wins

Former Engineering student of Castleford College, Faye Banks, successfully reached the final of the latest series of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Faye was one of 20 recruits who were put through their paces by the SAS: Who Dares Wins instructors Billy Billingham and his team of directing staff Jason Fox, Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver.

The recruits took part in a six-week condensed version of the SAS selection process, which took place in the deepest, darkest, most brutal Vietnamese jungle.

After leaving care, she trained to become an Engineer and is currently working as a Director of Operations at Siemens.

Faye is preparing to start a new role as the Director of E&M at Vital Energi in April and is working towards gaining her PhD in Engineering.

Faye said: "Despite the adversities I have overcome in life, I struggle to feel proud of myself and wanted to take part in the show to prove my self-worth. Taking part in selection was the most brutal environment I have ever experienced. Being in unfamiliar surroundings, with no control over anything, took me back to my childhood. However, I chose to let go of everything and just embraced the experience as it’s in these testing situations where your true character shows. Although I didn’t pass the selection process, I’m incredibly proud of myself for reaching the final and for the determination and resilience I showed throughout.”

Faye completed a GNVQ Intermediate, followed by a GNVQ Advanced in Engineering at Whitwood College, which is now known as Castleford College. She then progressed onto a Modern Apprenticeship with Linpac Plastics at Featherstone.

Faye on the latest series of SAS: Who Dares Wins

Following this, Faye spent two years studying for an NVQ Level 3 in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering while at the same time undertaking a Higher National Certificate in Electrical Engineering.

During her time at college, Faye’s achievements shone out and, she was voted Engineering Student of the Year. She also won the Principal’s Award at the Women in Science and Engineering ceremony.

Recognising her achievements on a national scale, Faye was also presented with the Apprentice of the Year award and the Young Woman Engineer of the Year accolade in 2004.

This led Faye to a prosperous career in the Engineering sector, in which she has held roles at Yorkshire Water, National Grid, Siemens, Carlsberg and Unilever.

In 2018, she was commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to review the UK’s electricity standards.  

Outside of work, Faye is an Elite Marathon Runner and is also studying for her pilot’s license.