THE Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has announced the appointment of Mel Edwards as training and skills support manager.
The new member-facing role has been created to provide practical support to CPA members across training, skills, recruitment, and funding.
With well over 35 years’ experience in the construction training and skills sector, the CPA said Mel brings extensive knowledge of training and certification, funding and grants, as well as first-hand experience of working with employers and training providers.
She began her career with CITB, initially working in administration and support for plant card and certification schemes. She went on to provide guidance on plant grants and funding before establishing the CPCS Logbook Monitoring Programme, which involved regular visits with employers.
Mel subsequently moved into CPCS scheme development and delivery, before joining Falcon Cranes as training manager. There, she was responsible for establishing and managing its training centre, gaining experience in sourcing and managing training and certification requirements, as well as funding and grant claims.
Her new role will see her working directly with CPA members to understand their skills and training requirements, identify suitable training and funding opportunities, and provide guidance and support to help businesses develop their workforce. Mel will also work with training providers, colleges, awarding organisations, and other industry bodies to identify opportunities and develop potential partnerships that benefit members.
The role will support CPA’s wider work to promote careers in the plant hire sector.
Mel said, “I am very much looking forward to working with CPA members and helping them navigate training, skills, recruitment and funding opportunities and making the process as straightforward as possible. I’m really looking forward to listening to what members need and working with them to help their businesses and people develop.”
