Employers across the construction plant sector are being invited by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) to recognise and reward their construction plant apprentices and trainees. To which end, the annual Stars of the Future Awards 2022 is now open for entries...

With around 900 apprentices across the six main plant-based occupations, employers again have the opportunity to nominate their outstanding apprentices and trainees who they see as being the industry’s future leaders. Nominations are welcomed from all employers, including plant-hire companies, manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and others operating in the construction plant sector with apprentices and trainees in their workforce.

2022 is the tenth year of the CPA's awards programme. This year, six national titles will be awarded - Plant Mechanic of the Year (Level 2), Plant Technician of the Year (Level 3), Plant Operative of the Year, Plant Installer of the Year, Lifting Technician of the Year and Hire Controller of the Year - as well as some special awards. 

Kevin Minton, Chief Executive of the CPA said: “Each year, Stars of the Future gets bigger and better and we’re very excited that this year marks the tenth year of the awards. It is now firmly established as the premier event of the construction plant sector for recognising and rewarding the skills and calibre of the industry’s apprentices and trainees. There were 70 nominations from across the industry for Stars of the Future in 2021, and we anticipate there will be even more nominations this year.

The 2022 winners will be announced in a live presentation at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley, near Coventry, on 7th July 2022. Stars of the Future winners will be in contention for a number of prizes, as well as national recognition. Previous prizes have included Snap-on tool kits, iPads and an all-expenses paid trip to Germany to visit a Liebherr crane manufacturing plant.

The closing date for entries is 31st March 2022, but employers are urged complete and submit their nominations in good time. Further information and the requisite forms can be downloaded from the CPA website at www.cpa.uk.net/skills-training/stars-of-the-future, where interested parties will also find a video of last year’s event.