Myerscough apprentices recognised in national ceremonies

The ‘Stars of The Future’ Awards is an annual event organised by the Construction Plant-Hire Association, in conjunction with training providers from across the country who offer plant maintenance courses. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the event due to take place in the summer was postponed, with a virtual online ceremony taking place with all nominees to announce the winners.

Nominees were assessed on their attitude and quality of work throughout the year, both at their college and in the workplace environment and there are separate prize schemes for Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices, at both regional and national level.

Myerscough College had two regional winners:

Level 2 Plant Mechanic of the Year sponsored by L Lynch Plant Hire

Connah Craw, Griffiths Hire Shops

Level 3 Plant Technician of the Year sponsored by L Lynch Plant Hire

Matthew Gregory, William Hare 

Both attend Myerscough College on block release from their employer during their apprenticeships.

This was the eighth consecutive year that the CPA - the UK’s leading trade association for the plant hire sector - has hosted the awards, which rewards apprentices across a number of categories.

The awards are run in conjunction with UK colleges, offering plant mechanic apprentices training. Apprentices are assessed throughout the academic year on their work in college and in their work environment, and the enthusiasm and commitment they bring to learning. The awards are intended to recognise and reward outstanding apprentices who not only bring ability and commitment to their learning and their work, but also possess those extra capabilities which mark them out as being not only the foundations of the future of the industry, but also potentially its leaders - the Stars of the Future.

Stars of the Future, which is sponsored by headline sponsor Sunbelt Rentals, was originally introduced to recognise outstanding Plant Mechanics and Plant Technicians but the scope of the event has been extended in recent years to reward further job roles in the construction plant sector and recognise new Trailblazer apprenticeships.

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. 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.”

Meanwhile, Myerscough College learner, Thomas Sealeaf (below), based at Vp Brandon Hire Station, was named as Apprentice of the Year at the 2020 Hire Awards of Excellence.

Again, the usual prestigious ceremony at the Grosvenor in London had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, meaning winners were announced via an online ceremony. A highlight in the hire industry’s calendar, the Hire Awards of Excellence celebrate the amazing achievements of hire and supply companies, and individual successes, across plant, tool, equipment and event hire.

If you’re an employer interested in taking on an apprentice or trainee, or a person interested in undertaking one across a range of sectors, click here to find out how Myerscough College can help