ENTRIES are now open for the 14th annual CPA Stars of the Future Awards.
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) is searching for this year’s most promising construction plant sector apprentices and trainees.
The awards are free to enter and open to both CPA members and non-members, including plant hire companies, manufacturers, contractors, suppliers, and others operating in the industry with apprentices and trainees in their workforce.
Nominees must be enrolled in an approved apprenticeship scheme or an employer’s in-house training programme. Nominations can be submitted by either the nominee’s employer or training provider.
The deadline for entries is Friday March 20, with winners announced at a ceremony on July 9 at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley, near Coventry, hosted by journalist and vlogger Peter Haddock.
Awards will be made for Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2), Plant Technician of the Year (Level 3), Hire Controller of the Year, Young Plant Operative of the Year, Plant Operative of the Year, Plant Installer of the Year, Crane Operative of the Year, Technical Support Person of the Year, Apprentice Mentor of the Year and College of the Year. All nominees are also eligible for special awards including the Judges’ Special Award and the Best Personal Statement Award.
Steve Mulholland, chief executive of the CPA, said, “Recognising the significant contribution of apprentices and trainees to our industry and supporting their development has never been more crucial. Stars of the Future is a fantastic celebration of the positive impact apprentices have within our sector, and it highlights the opportunities available for others to join the plant-hire industry. Additionally, it serves as a springboard for nominees, winners and their careers.”
Stars of the Future has a two-tier judging process – the CPA selection panel and a panel of external judges from across the industry who decide the eventual winners of each category.
Last year’s winners received national recognition along with an array of prizes, including tool kits, machine training courses, iPads, a trip to a Liebherr crane manufacturing plant in Germany, a trip to one of Wolffkran’s manufacturing facilities in Germany, and VIP days courtesy of JCB.
Nominations can be made online or by downloading a form from the CPA website at https://cpa.uk.net/product/stars-of-the-future/
