Myerscough named College of Year in double CPA Awards success

The UK’s best organisations, most promising apprentices and trainees in the construction plant sector were unveiled at the Construction Plant-hire Association’s (CPA) Stars of the Future Awards 2023.

Myerscough was named overall College of the Year at the event, held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley, near Coventry, recognising the college’s ongoing commitment to addressing the skills gap in the sector.

The 11 CPA and industry judges involved described the competition this year as the ‘most fiercely contested’ awards yet, after the record number of entries. Due to the very high quality of nominations, additional sub-categories and special awards were subsequently introduced to recognise the exceptional talent and commitment of the nominees.

In addition, Myerscough was recognised alongside Sebastian Asiedu from Vp MEP Hire, after being named recipient of a Special Award for Future International Development.

And, there was further recognition for another Myerscough College plant-sector apprentice for outstanding commitment to their work.

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.

Reece Chapman of Brandon Hire Station was Highly Commended in the Plant Mechanic of the Year - North category.

The CPA is the leading trade association for the construction plant sector in the UK, with over 1,900 members who supply 85% of hired plant to the construction industry. The awards ceremony was held in association with event sponsors CRJ Services, Flannery Plant Hire, GAP Group, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage and Sunbelt Rentals, and award sponsors ACOP Group, Liebherr, M O'Brien Plant Hire, NOCN Group, Plant Planet, Southern Hoist Services, Tower Staff Construction and Wolffkran.

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 in recent years to reward further job roles in the construction plant sector and recognise new apprenticeships. Nationally, approximately 900 apprentices span the main plant-based occupations and the2023 awards saw the introduction of two new awards categories at Stars of the Future - Young Plant Operative of the Year and Apprentice Mentor of the Year.

Stu McInroy, Chief Executive of the CPA said: “Having joined the CPA only recently, this was my first experience of Stars of the Future and it was a wonderful experience of excellence. Award winners received some fabulous prizes, including tool kits, training courses, iPads and an overseas trip to visit a Liebherr crane manufacturing plant in Germany, and we would like to congratulate all nominees and winners.’’

This year, 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, Siôn 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 and independent judge Rob Allen.