The ‘Stars of the Future’ event, held earlier this week, recognised the achievements of young plant mechanics across the country…
The fourth annual ‘Stars of the Future’ event was hosted earlier this week. Taking place on the 15 June during Vertikal Days cranes and access equipment exhibition, the event recognised the brightest young plant mechanics in the sector.
The award ceremony is an annual event developed by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) to recognise the work of talented young people enrolled on plant mechanic apprenticeship schemes. The first year of the awards, 2013, saw 489 entries. This year that figure swelled to 750 entries.
Prizes are awarded for Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices. Colleges monitor and assess students throughout the year before putting forward three finalists. This year there were 21 regional winners and 42 Highly Commended. From the 21 finalists, two National winners were chosen for both levels.
The plant mechanic apprenticeship awards presentation was hosted by the CPA and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). It involved colleges nationwide.
British Touring Car Championship racing driver Nic Hamilton presented the awards, which were also supported by Kranlyft UK (Maeda Mini Cranes), A-Plant, Vertikal Days, IPAF, Hawk and Snap-On
Hamilton said: “It’s was an absolute honour to be here at the Stars of the Future – firstly to share my story but also to see all the fantastically talented people that have been nominated for these awards.
“I believe everybody has a story and is inspiring in their own right and I think that CPA and these awards for young apprentices give a great platform for everybody to show their talent. As far as I am concerned they are all winners here today and should be very proud of themselves.”
Opening the awards ceremony CPA Chairman Brian Jones said: “Today is the fourth year that the awards have been held and year on year the benchmark that was set previously gets higher and higher. Apprentices play an important role in the recovery of our industry by giving employers the essential skills they need.
“I am very proud and privileged to be associated with the Stars of the Future programme and to see the pride the apprentices bring not only to their employers, families, and college but most importantly to themselves.
“Over 250 Students were nominated from colleges from all over the UK each and every one of them is a Star of the Future. Congratulations to them all!”
Organiser of the awards and CPA’s Safety and Training Manager Haydn Steele said the standards this year were outstanding. He said: “This year’s calibre of students was exceptionally high and I am very proud to be associated with the awards scheme.
“Working with the colleges and tutors I am lucky enough to hear about these students first hand.
“It’s also excellent to see these young stars at the start of their careers in the plant industry – they really are the engineers of the future!”
The 2017 awards will be held during the Plantworx Construction Exhibition 2017 (6th – 8th June) Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, Leicestershire.
Regional Level 2 Winners
- Angus Strowbridge, Askham Bryan College – Lifterz Ltd
- Sion Cooper, Bridgend College – U Hire Equipment & Sales
- John Davies, Coleg Cambria – Richard Tresidder
- Jack Pleavin, Finning Academy – Finning UK
- Luke Johnstone, Glasgow Kelvin College – SLD Pump & Power
- Katie Long , Myerscough College – UK Forks PLC
- James Deeley, National Construction College – Allsort Grab Services
- Campbell Howie, National Construction College (Scotland) – Muirhead Plant Ltd
- Samuel Cooper-Hart, Reaseheath College – A Plant
- Tom Knapp, Stafford College – Hire Plant UK
- Lloyd Hewish, Wiltshire College – SKH Engineering
Regional Level 3 Winners
- Elliott Waite, Askham Bryan College – Lifterz Ltd
- Jason Standen, Bridgend College – South Cornelly Services
- Sam Batchelor, Finning Academy – Finning UK
- Tyler Nicholson, Glasgow Kelvin College – Your Equipment Solutions
- Daniel Fradd, Myerscough College – Multi Hog
- Thomas Jackson, National Construction College – Gray Materials Handling
- Sean Gunn, National Construction College (Scotland)
- Jean-Paul Alcayde, Reaseheath College – Clee Hill
- James Hughes, Stafford College – AP Web UK
- Bradley White, Wiltshire College – Ardent Hire Solutions
National Winners
- Sion Cooper, Level 2, Bridgend College – Lifterz Ltd
- Jason Standen, Level 3, Bridgend College – South Cornelly Services
