The future of the construction plant industry is in safe hands judging by the outstanding quality of the entrants at this year\u2019s Stars of the Future awards hosted by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) today.<\/p>\n
A total of 80 nominations were received for the CPA Stars of the Future apprentice and trainee awards 2024. The awards identify some of the industry\u2019s brightest up-and-coming talent and its future leaders across various occupations including Plant Mechanics, Plant Technicians, Hire Controllers, Lifting Technicians, Plant Installers, Plant Operatives and Young Plant Operatives, as well as those who mentor the apprentices.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Almost 300 people attended the awards ceremony which was hosted at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley, near Coventry, by<\/strong> former TV newsreader, presenter and journalist Merryn Myatt. This was the 12th<\/sup>year of the acclaimed apprentice awards and this year\u2019s nominations were judged by a total of 13 judges from the CPA and across the industry.<\/p>\n The CPA is the leading trade association for the construction plant sector in the UK, with over 1,900 members who supply around 85% of hired plant to the construction industry. The awards ceremony was held in association with event sponsors GAP Group<\/strong> and L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage<\/strong>, and award sponsors and supporters ACOP Group, JCB, Liebherr, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage, M O’Brien Plant Hire, NOCN Group, Plant Planet, Southern Hoist Services, Sunbelt Rentals and Wolffkran<\/strong>.<\/p>\n On the day, the winners of each national category were as follows:<\/p>\n National Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2) – Bethan Whittaker of KJ Services and Bridgend College<\/p>\n Stars of the Future was originally introduced to recognise outstanding Apprentice Plant Mechanics and Plant Technicians, but the scope of the event has been extended over the years to reward other job roles in the construction plant sector. It is now widely recognised as the sector\u2019s premier event for recognising and rewarding trainees and apprentices who are earmarked as future leaders of the industry.<\/p>\n CPA President Brian Jones said: \u201cStars of the Future is one of the CPA\u2019s flagship events and one that we\u2019re very proud of. We\u2019d like to congratulate all the nominees and winners – it\u2019s a tremendous achievement in itself for apprentices to be nominated by their employer or training provider for a Star of the Future award. Testimony to the success of the awards is that many previous Stars of the Future award winners have gone on to secure senior positions in the construction plant industry.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would like to thank all our sponsors, without whom we simply could not stage such an event or reward our winners so considerably. Award winners received some fabulous prizes, including tool kits, machine training courses, iPads, an overseas trip to visit a Liebherr crane manufacturing plant in Germany, another overseas trip to one of Wolffkran\u2019s manufacturing facilities in Luckau, Germany, and a VIP day courtesy of JCB. Special thanks also go to each and every one of our 13 judges for the time they took in going through all the nominations so thoroughly,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n Stars of the Future had a two-tier judging process – the CPA selection panel and a panel of external judges who decided the eventual winners of each category. The external judging panel included Arran Willis of Liebherr-GB, Si\u00f4n Morgan Jones of ACOP Group, Kirsty Archbold-Laming of Southern Hoist Services, Leigh Sparrow of Vertikal Press, Graham Black of Earthmovers Magazine, Tim Brownbridge of BAM Nuttall, independent judge Rob Allen, Georgina Williams of JCB and Sean Scarah of Balfour Beatty.<\/p>\n The complete list of Stars of the Future 2024 category winners and those who were highly commended is as follows:<\/p>\n Plant Mechanic of the Year – North<\/strong><\/p>\n Sam Ellis, Flannery Civil Engineering, Askham Bryan College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Plant Mechanic of the Year – Midlands<\/strong><\/p>\n Luke Sutton, Synergy Hire, National Construction College East – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Luke Divit, Marubeni-Komatsu, NSCG Stafford College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Tyler Hartles, Marubeni-Komatsu, NSCG Stafford College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Plant Mechanic of the Year – South<\/strong><\/p>\n Josh Thomas, Liebherr-GB, NSCG Stafford College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Joe Mustey, Earlcoate Construction & Plant Hire, National Construction College East – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Luke Piggott, Vp Brandon Hire Station, Myerscough College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Mike Kinnane, Sunbelt Rentals, Myerscough College – Highly Commended\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Plant Mechanic of the Year – Scotland<\/strong><\/p>\n Kai Blackburn, Ord Industrial & Commercial Supplies, National Construction College Scotland – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Leeona McEwan, GAP Group, National Construction College Scotland – Highly Commended\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Plant Mechanic of the Year – Wales\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Bethan Whittaker, KJ Services, Bridgend College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Ethan Williams, KJ Services, Bridgend College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n National Plant Mechanic of the Year\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Bethan Whittaker, KJ Services, Bridgend College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Josh Thomas, Liebherr-GB, NSCG Stafford College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Plant Technician of the Year – North\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Morgan Wardle, Banks Plant Solutions, Askham Bryan College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Ethan Hopwood, Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers Ltd, Preston College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Thomas Joynt, Sunbelt Rentals, Myerscough College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Subhaan Nawaz, Bachy Soletanche, Midland Group Training Services – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Plant Technician of the Year – Midlands<\/strong><\/p>\n Courtney Price, SMT, Reaseheath College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Shannon Weiss, Finning UK, Finning Academy – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Oliver Voss, Watling JCB, National Construction College East – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Owen Van Greuning, Marubeni-Komatsu, NSCG Stafford College – Highly Commended<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Plant Technician of the Year – South<\/strong><\/p>\n Harry Totman, Liebherr-GB, NSCG Stafford College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Thomas Fuentes-Moreno, Vp Brandon Hire Station, Myerscough College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Jack Southam, Southern Cranes & Access, National Construction College East – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Plant Technician of the Year – Scotland<\/strong><\/p>\n Louie Masson, Pat Munro (Alness), National Construction College Scotland – Winner<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Plant Technician of the Year – Wales\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Tom Williams, CBL, Bridgend College – Winner<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n National Plant Technician of the Year\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Morgan Wardle, Banks Plant Solutions, Askham Bryan College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Courtney Price, SMT, Reaseheath College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Harry Totman, Liebherr-GB, NSCG Stafford College – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Hire Controller of the Year\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Millie Scott-Young, Sunbelt Rentals – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Lauren Jobson, Sunbelt Rentals – Highly Commended\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Young Plant Operative of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n Josh Jones, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Lewis Ensor, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Plant Operative of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n Reece Stray, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage – Winner\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Lifting Technician of the Year <\/strong><\/p>\n Zac Bradshaw, Commhoist – Winner\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Plant Installer of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n Hayden Chappell, Southern Hoist Services – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Arran Heath, Wolffkran – Highly Commended\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Individual Apprentice Mentor of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n Steve Gwynn, Sunbelt Rentals – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Bill Munday, Earlcoate Construction & Plant Hire – Highly Commended<\/strong><\/p>\n Tony Jenkins, Marubeni-Komatsu – Highly Commended\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Group Apprentice Mentor of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n Dave Rogers, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Jo Stamp, Sunbelt Rentals – Highly Commended\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n College of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n Bridgend College – Winner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Myerscough College – Highly Commended \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Best Personal Statement Award <\/strong><\/p>\n Shannon Weiss, Finning UK, Finning Academy – Winner\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Award for Future International Development<\/strong><\/p>\n Courtney Price, SMT, Reaseheath College – Winner<\/em><\/strong>Judges\u2019 Special Award<\/strong><\/p>\n Tom Williams, CBL, Bridgend College – Winner<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Photograph <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
\n<\/em><\/strong>National winners of the CPA Stars of the Future Awards 2024 (From left to right): Reece Stray, Steve Gwynn, Dave Rogers, Zac Bradshaw, Josh Jones, Shannon Weiss, Hayden Chappell, Millie Scott-Young, Morgan Wardle and Bethan Whittaker (front).<\/p>\n