The construction plant sector has a promising future judging by the outstanding calibre of the this year’s entrants for the Stars of the Future awards hosted by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA)
Held in association with A-Plant, CPA Stars of the Future identifies some of the industry’s emerging talent and almost 700 plant mechanic apprentices were eligible for the esteemed awards, representing companies across the UK from plant hire companies large and small, including well-known names such as JCB, Marubeni Komatsu, Speedy Services, Skanska UK plc, plus several independents.
Now in its sixth year, this year’s Stars of the Future awards ceremony was hosted at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley near Coventry. The CPA welcomed over 300 apprentices, family members, college tutors and employers to the event which was also sponsored and supported by Boecker UK, Explore Plant and Transport Services, International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), JCB, Select Plant Hire and Snap-on Tools.
Stars of the Future is an awards scheme for apprentices in the construction plant industry, run in conjunction with UK colleges offering plant mechanic apprentice training. This year’s awards were for plant mechanic apprentices who have been assessed throughout the academic year on their work in college and in their work environment. There were a total of 19 regional winners for both NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices, plus two national winners.
The 2018 Stars of the Future Winners
Regional Level 2 Winners
Dan Pickles Askham Bryan College, Charles Wilson Engineers Ltd
John Higgins Bridgend College, Komatsu Mining Germany
Harry Wood National Construction College, SMT GB
Cameron Evans National Construction College (Scotland), Story Contracting
Amy Kirkham Finning Academy, Finning UK (Cannock)
Rhyss Cunningham Glasgow Kelvin College, NRS Group
Michael Barton Myerscough College, Chippindale Plant
Imran Ahmed Reaseheath College, A-Plant
Scott Paskin Stafford College, Dewsbury and Proud Ltd
Joe Hughes Wiltshire College, ALC Vehicles
Regional Level 3 Winners
Joe Hobson Askham Bryan College, Peter Duffy Ltd
James Power Bridgend College, Associated British Ports
Ciaran Warnes National Construction College, TXM Plant
Kyle Maitland National Construction College (Scotland), Leiths (Scotland) Ltd
Archie Shorten Finning Academy, Finning UK (Leeds)
Ross Logan Glasgow Kelvin College, Marubeni Komatsu Ltd
Callum Bradley Myerscough College, Hire Station
Tyler Lloyd Reaseheath College, A-Plant
Adam Counihan Stafford College, Liebherr GB
National Winners
Dan Pickles Askham Bryan College, Charles Wilson Engineers Ltd (Level 2)
Ciaran Warnes National Construction College, TXM Plant (Level 3)
National Level 2 winner Dan Pickles commented: “I really didn’t expect to win such a prestigious industry award and I can’t thank Askham Bryan College and Charles Wilson Engineers enough for the support they have given me. I have been given the responsibility of working as a Mobile Service Engineer by my employer, which is a great position for an apprentice to be in as I work all over the country covering 18 depots nationwide. I’d like to go on to become a Senior Service Engineer or Foreman in the near future but my ultimate ambition is to continue to work in this industry.”
National Level 3 winner Ciaran Warnes, who works for TXM Plant and attends the National Construction College said: “This award means the world to me and I wasn’t expecting it at all! It just shows what you can achieve with hard work and determination. I love working with plant machinery and this accolade is great news for me personally and TXM Plant. It makes me very proud and I hope it will help my career in the future.”
Kevin Minton, Chief Executive of the CPA said: “The standard of this year’s Stars of the Future entries really was exceptional and the judging panel had some difficult decisions to make. Stars of the Future is one of the highlights in the CPA’s calendar and we welcome the opportunity to reward and recognise some of the industry’s brightest talent. It is also pleasing to see just how well some of the previous Stars of the Future winners have progressed in their careers since.”
The two national winners received Snap-on roll cart tool kits and the 19 regional winners won Snap-on student tool kits.
