Reaseheath trained engineering apprentice Sam Jones has been recognised as a future ‘star’ in a competition aimed at finding the nation’s best construction plant apprentices.

Sam, who works for leading plant hire company Ridgway Rentals in Shropshire, was regional winner in the Level 3 Plant Technician of the Year category of the prestigious Construction Plant-hire Association’s (CPA) Stars of the Future Awards.

The competition is an annual highlight for the construction plant industry and showcases the talent of future leaders within the plant sector. Apprentices are assessed throughout the year on their progress within their college and work environments. There were 70 very strong entries throughout the categories and judges were extremely impressed with the standard of entries.

Sam began his off-the-job training at Reaseheath as a Level 2 apprentice and has since progressed and successfully completed his Level 3 apprenticeship. Interested in machinery from an early age, he uses his technical skills to service and repair a wide range of modern plant and attachments at his workplace and enjoys renovating vintage farm and construction plant machinery in his spare time.

Ridgway Rentals Workshop Manager Dave Jenkins said: “Sam showed great promise from the very start and has made huge improvements in both his practical and theory skills. Winning this award is testament to the dedication and hard work he has put in, both at Reaseheath and at Ridgway, and we are very proud of him. He has certainly set the bar high for future apprentices to follow!”

Ridgway Rentals is constantly on the lookout for talented and hardworking individuals willing to learn. The company’s apprenticeship programme combines education, training and work experience, and there will be more vacancies for apprentices in partnership with Reaseheath in 2021. There are also several current job vacancies including plant fitter, office assistant, wash operative, valeter and HGV driver.

For more details visit the Ridgway Rentals website.

  • Another Reaseheath trained apprentice engineer to take a top award at the CPA Stars of the Future was Alisha Giles (GAP Group), national runner-up in the Level 2 Plant Mechanic of the Year category, while Brandon Parker (KCM) and Josh Smith (Clee Hill Plant) were nominated.

Reaseheath Engineering is a UK leader in construction plant training and the preferred trainer for many leading companies.