CPA Bulletin

14 CPA Bulletin > May 2024 www.cpa.uk.net ASSOCIATION NEWS: 7 Chloe’s Dad has worked at Flannery Plant Hire for over 10 years as a Plant Operator, and it was he who encouraged Chloe to apply for a Plant Operative Apprenticeship position. It was definitely the right choice, as Chloe has already worked on flagship projects such as Fawley Refinery in Hampshire, participated in several Flannery Women in Construction events to encourage more women to enter the sector and she has received recognition industry-wide in her short time in the sector. As well as winning the Stars of the Future award, Chloe has secured a 12-month mentoring programme as part of Balfour Beatty’s 5% Club. Chloe was one of just 10 successful apprentices from across Balfour Beatty and its supply chain to be chosen for the coveted Founder’s Pledge Award. Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive Leo Quinn launched the Founder’s Pledge to commemorate the 10th anniversary of The 5% Club, which he founded in 2013 to tackle the UK’s national skills shortage. For the next year, Chloe will be personally mentored by Flannery Managing Director Patrick Flannery. Chloe said: “I’m so glad that my Dad encouraged me to enter the construction plant sector. I’ve already had so many amazing opportunities - I’ve worked on lots of different sites in places such as Southampton, Aylesbury and Norfolk, as well as those closer to home such as Dover and Folkstone. There’s such a variety of work and no two sites are the same. “There are so many different career choices in the industry and I’d love to work my way up to management level at Flannery. Winning the Young Plant Operative of the Year award has opened up so many new opportunities for me already. “I was excited to go back on the Backhoe Loader again, as I completed the training course at ACOP Group last year as part of the Stars of the Future prize so it was nice to get back in the seat. My first impressions of the JCB 3CX were how versatile it is, as you can do nearly all jobs with just one machine. The cab is very comfortable, with a lot of storage space and everything is so smooth. On the sites that I work on, Backhoe Loaders always seem to be busy and I can see why. It’s a good ticket to have and overall the visit to JCB has been amazing - it’s an experience that I’ll treasure forever.” Peter Brown, CPA Technical and Development Manager, who chairs the Stars of the Future judging panel added: “We’re very grateful to JCB for providing such an impressive prize that’ll create memories that will last a lifetime, and we also pass on our thanks to our award sponsors ACOP Group, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage and NOCN Group.