CPA Bulletin

12 CPA Bulletin > May 2020 www.cpa.uk.net ASSOCIATION NEWS: 4 The CPAwas delighted to support the first Plant Construction Careers Live event hosted at MillenniumPoint in Birmingham. The event was hosted by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as part of National Apprenticeship Week and it proved so popular that more than 1,000 young people aged 16-18, mainly from colleges across the West Midlands, attended the inaugural event to raise awareness of the variety of careers within the sector. The CPA was one of 30 exhibitors at the event - joining employers, universities and specialist training providers who were on hand to give expert advice and information about future jobs in the construction plant industry. Visitors had the chance to go on plant simulators, watch demonstrations of the latest machinery, and find out about new emerging jobs and how virtual reality and robotics are being used in the construction sector. Present on the CPA stand were Adam Dalton from Toppesfield Ltd who was the National Level 3 winner for Plant Mechanic Star of the Future 2019 and Adrienne Kerry, a former Flannery apprentice. Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, who opened the event, said: “The construction industry in the region is expected to create 50,000 new jobs over the next ten years, offering fantastic careers for young people and adults. It’s vital to the success of the industry that we bring in fresh talent. Plant Construction Careers Live is a great way to highlight the wealth of opportunities available in this sector.” Kevin Minton, CPA Chief Executive added: “Events like this can play a big part in helping to raise the profile of the construction plant sector. Lots of people don’t realise how interesting the work can be, how varied the work can be and how well paid it can be. Hopefully visitors will not only have had the opportunity to go on machinery but come away from the event having learnt about about jobs and careers in the sector.” Careers in ConstructioN