THE UK’s top plant apprentices and trainees have been announced at the Construction Plant-hire Association’s (CPA) Stars of the Future 2020 online awards event.
Over 70 nominations were received this year – the highest figure in the eight years that the awards programme has been running.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this was the first time the event has been hosted online.
Prizes include snap-on tool kits, week-long training courses and iPads. Stars of the Future 2020 had a two-tier judging process – the CPA selection panel and a panel of external industry-expert judges who decided the eventual winners of each category.
The external judging panel included Siôn Morgan Jones of ACOP Group, Kirsty Archbold-Laming of Southern Hoist Services, Arran Willis of Liebherr (GB) Ltd, Paul Whitehead of Highways England, Tim Brownbridge of BAM Nuttall and Ed Hudson who has recently retired but continues to act as co-chair for the construction equipment maintenance apprenticeship working group.
Kevin Minton, chief executive of the CPA said, “We would like to congratulate all the nominees and winners of Stars of the Future for 2020. We were absolutely delighted to have over 130 attendees join us online. Although we weren’t able to meet the nominees and winners this year and personally hand over their certificates, glass awards and prizes, this doesn’t in any way diminish their achievements.
“We will be sending out prizes to all winners and we hope they will serve them well during their careers. On behalf of the CPA team, may we congratulate you and wish you every success.”
The full list of CPA Stars of the Future Winners 2020 are as follows:
College Awards – Plant Mechanic of the Year Winners (Level 2) – Employer and College
Brandon Welham, BJW Cranes Ltd (Askham Bryan College)
Adam Rees, Machinery Movements and Crane Hire (Bridgend College)
Connah Craw, Griffiths Hire Shops (Myerscough College)
James Benton, PSR Genie (NSCG Stafford College)
Jack Barker, Selwood Plant Hire (National Construction College East)
Scott Laurenson, EMN Plant (National Construction College Scotland)
Alisha Giles, GAP Group (Reaseheath College)
Billy Mitchell, ALC (Wiltshire College)
Jack Chubb, Phoenix Plant (Bridgend College) – Highly Commended
Corey Robinson, Watson & Hillhouse (National Construction College East) – Highly Commended
Joshua Foord, Sunbelt Rentals (Reaseheath College) – Highly Commended
Harry Cook, Balfour Beatty (Wiltshire College) – Highly Commended
Employer Nominated Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2)
Charlie Pablos, L Lynch Plant Hire (Citrus Training)
College Awards – Plant Technician of the Year Winners (Level 3) – Employer and College
Lea Poole, Lifterz (Askham Bryan College)
Ryan Powles, Fitzgerald Plant Services (Bridgend College)
Ross McLeod, Marubeni-Komatsu (Glasgow Kelvin College)
Matthew Gregory, William Hare (Myerscough College)
Rhys Nigel John, Marubeni-Komatsu (NSCG Stafford College)
Jack Linley, Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services (National Construction College East)
Lorne Sinclair, PMG Services (National Construction College Scotland)
Sam Jones, Ridgway Rentals (Reaseheath College)
Rhys Bridgeman, Clive Barford Ltd (CBL) (Wiltshire College)
Joe Adcock, Cementation Skanska (Askham Bryan College) – Highly Commended
Stephen Geehan, Keller Ground Engineering (National Construction College East) – Highly Commended
Employer Nominated Plant Technician of the Year (Level 3)
Mitchell Chuter, L Lynch Plant Hire (National Construction College East)
National Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2)
Adam Rees, Machinery Movements and Crane Hire (Bridgend College) – Winner
Alisha Giles, GAP Group (Reaseheath College) – Highly Commended
National Plant Technician of the Year (Level 3)
Rhys Nigel John, Marubeni-Komatsu (NSCG Stafford College) – Winner
Mitchell Chuter, L Lynch Plant Hire (National Construction College East) – Highly Commended
Lifting Technician of the Year
Luke Reddish, Wolffkran – Winner
Samuel Slocombe, Wolffkran – Highly Commended
Plant Operative of the Year
Danielle Taylor, Flannery Plant Hire – Winner
Chloe Rackley, L Lynch Plant Hire – Highly Commended
Hire Controller of the Year
Iveta Tomasevska, Flannery Plant Hire – Winner
Ben Sharp, L Lynch Plant Hire – Highly Commended
CPA Prize for the Best Personal Statement
Senghan Carr, L Lynch Plant Hire – Winner
Lee Kerr, L Lynch Plant Hire – Highly Commended
Corey Robinson, Watson & Hillhouse – Highly Commended
Judges’ Special Award
Scott Laurenson, EMN Plant
