CPA Bulletin

10 CPA Bulletin > August 2024 www.cpa.uk.net UK’s Top Construction Plant Apprentices Recognised at CPA Stars of the Future Event A total of 80 nominations were received for the CPA Stars of the Future apprentice and trainee awards 2024. The awards identify some of the industry’s brightest up-and-coming talent and its future leaders across various occupations including Plant Mechanics, Plant Technicians, Hire Controllers, Lifting Technicians, Plant Installers, Plant Operatives and Young Plant Operatives, as well as those who mentor the apprentices. Almost 300 people attended the awards ceremony which was hosted at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley, near Coventry, by former TV newsreader, presenter and journalist Merryn Myatt. This was the 12th year of the acclaimed apprentice awards and this year’s nominations were judged by a total of 13 judges from the CPA and across the industry. The CPA is the leading trade association for the construction plant sector in the UK, with over 1,900 members who supply around 85% of hired plant to the construction industry. The awards ceremony was held in association with event sponsors GAP Group and L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage , and award sponsors and supporters ACOP Group , JCB, Liebherr , L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage , M O’Brien Plant Hire , NOCN Group , Plant Planet , Southern Hoist Services , Sunbelt Rentals and Wolffkran . On the day, the winners of each national category were as follows: • National Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2) - Bethan Whittaker of KJ Services and Bridgend College • National Plant Technician of the Year (Level 3) - Morgan Wardle of Banks Plant Solutions and Askham Bryan College • Hire Controller of the Year - Millie Scott -Young of Sunbelt Rentals • Young Plant Operative of the Year - Josh Jones of L Lynch Plant Hire&Haulage • Plant Operative of the Year - Reece Stray of L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage • Lifting Technician of the Year - Zac Bradshaw of Commhoist • Plant Installer of the Year - HaydenChappell of SouthernHoist Services • Individual Apprentice Mentor of the Year - Steve Gwynn of Sunbelt Rentals • Group Apprentice Mentor of the Year - Dave Rogers of L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage • Best Personal Statement Award - Shannon Weiss of Finning UK and Finning Academy • Judges’ Special Award - TomWilliams of CBL and Bridgend College Stars of the Future was originally introduced to recognise outstanding Apprentice Plant Mechanics and Plant Technicians, but the scope of the event has been extended over the years to reward other job roles in the construction plant sector. It is now widely recognised as the sector’s premier event for recognising and rewarding trainees and apprentices who are earmarked as future leaders of the industry. The future of the construction plant industry is in safe hands judging by the outstanding quality of the entrants at this year’s Stars of the Future awards hosted by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA). ASSOCIATION NEWS: 3