CPA Stars of the Future winners

The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has announced the winners of this year’s Stars of the Future awards scheme.

Held in association with headline sponsor A-Plant, the scheme aims to identify some of the industry’s brightest up-and-coming talent. The awards are open to apprentices and trainees in the construction equipment sector across the UK, with more than 700 apprentices eligible for entry, representing companies such as GAP, Go Plant, Nixon Hire, Riwal and MHM Plant. Apprentices are assessed throughout the academic year on their work in college and in their work environment.

Now in its seventh year, more than 300 people attended the ceremony, which was hosted at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre near Coventry, UK. The awards were given out by CPA Chief Executive Kevin Minton, with assistance from Rob Squires, CPA Training and Safety Manager.

Traditionally, there have only been awards for plant mechanic apprentices, but this year two new national titles of Plant Operator Star of the Future and Lifting Technician Star of the Future were introduced.

Among the winners were Joe Adcock, the National Level 2 winner from Cementation Skanska, and Adam Dalton, National Level 3 winner from Toppesfield. Also, Plant Operator Star of the Future went to Jake Howard of P Flannery Plant Hire, and Lifting Technician Start of the Future was awarded to Niki Fitzgerald of Select Plant Hire.

A total of 21 college awards for both NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 plant mechanic apprentices were given out, along with three employer nominated plant mechanic awards.