CPA plans busy year
22 February 2024
The CPA is looking ahead to a busy 2024 for its members and the wider industry.
The first event on the horizon is the association’s Stars of the Future Awards which recognise top construction plant apprentices and trainees. Nomination forms are available on the CPA website with a 22 March deadline for entries. The 2024 winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre near Coventry on 11 July.
Almost 100 nominations were received across the various categories in 2023 and more entries are anticipated this year.
“This has become a real premier event in the calendar,” said CPA President Brian Jones. “Young people are the future of our industry and it’s pleasing to see more women represented. We’re seeing more employers putting their trainees forward, as well as the colleges, as they want to highlight their achievements.”
Winners will receive a variety of prizes, including overseas visits of industry relevance.
Looking further ahead. the CPA has chosen ‘Shaping the Future’ as the theme of this year’s conference, which also takes place at the Heart of England centre on 7 November.
“Last year we focused on various challenges facing the industry, so this time we will be looking at the solutions,” said Brian. “Half of last year’s exhibitors have already said they’re interested in exhibiting again this year.”
Also, as previously reported, CPA is to provide a total of £90,000 of funding over the next three years to support the work of the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) and the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT) in preventing and detecting the theft and fraudulent acquisition of construction equipment and its recovery. The first £30,000 tranche has already been given.
“This is an example of the association putting funds to good use to help members who are suffering from these problems. We have also heard if machines being stolen and then stripped down to sell as spare parts. The funding will provide more resources to address these issues.”
In addition, CPA is supporting the Lighthouse Club construction industry charity’s mental health awareness initiative called Make it Visible, which is based around imagery and messaging to direct people towards sources of help when needed.
“Sadly, two people per day working in the construction industry take their own lives,” said Brian. “We are encouraging CPA members to use the brightly coloured campaign stickers around their sites which give information about how to get advice and support.”
Brian (pictured below) will be on the international judging panel for the Intermat 2024 Innovation Awards at the exhibition in Paris from 24 to 27 April, and the CPA will also have stands at the Hillhead and Vertikal Days exhibitions in June and September respectively.
Photo above shows last year’s Stars of the Future Awards.
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