News


hands, says CPA One of the challenges we face is attracting people to the construction plant sector. Apprenticeships are a vital part of industry and there are now over 900 apprentices across construction plant-based occupations. Next month the Construction Plant-hire


Association’s (CPA) ‘Stars of the Future’ apprentice awards take place, illustrating the value of apprenticeships and training in the plant sector, and putting the spotlight on future leaders of our industry. Over the past six years, apprenticeships have evolved significantly,


with Trailblazer ‘standards’ apprenticeships emerging in 2014 in England. These put employers in the driving seat and are developed by employer-led Trailblazer groups that conform to given criteria. At CPA, one of our roles is providing a project management and


technical support to employer-led Trailblazer groups to help get the apprenticeship through to fruition. It has been a long and arduous process but Trailblazers apprenticeships are now available for lifting technicians, plant operatives, plant mechanics and hire controllers. We’ve recently started work on developing an apprenticeship for plant maintenance technicians at level 3.


The future of our industry is in safe


Attracting the right recruits to the sector remains a recurring issue,


but the construction plant industry offers careers for life and more women are joining the industry. It is also positive to see that official figures for plant-based apprenticeships are looking much stronger than originally anticipated. It’s pleasing to see how former Stars of the Future winners have


progressed in their careers. For instance, Amy Wicks (pictured) of L Lynch Plant Hire won the accolade of Hire Controller of the Year last year she has now been promoted to senior manager, which is just one level below the Board of Directors – all at the age of 25. Rest assured, the future of our industry is in safe hands.


Smooth operator As spotted at


the recent ScotPlant expo, and turning a fair few heads, the Ekin ‘Conscreed E1800’ promises to take concrete finishing to another level. The eye-


catching new unit was taking pride of place on the Concrete Services & Supplies (CSS) stand, where inventor James Ekin was busy holding forth with other visitors who were likewise stopped in their tracks. Little else is known about the Conscreed 1800, save for


the fact that it is a rather distinctive, all-electric wheeled laser screed. The onboard batteries reportedly recharge swiftly and the machine has already found favour with companies lucky enough to test it out – some have already placed orders. Other details, such as weights, measures and a


confirmed launch date, are still TBC. However, keep an eye on www.ekinengineering.com to register your interest.


Mecalac adds cabbed dumper Mecalac’s 3.5MDX cabbed site dumper sets a new standard in


performance, safety and practicality. Powered by a Stage V Kubota D1803 1.8L turbocharged diesel engine, the new machine delivers 50hp at 2700rpm and a peak torque of 150.5Nm at 1600rpm. Available in swivel tip skip or front tip skip variants, the 3.5MDX is


designed with an articulated chassis to ensure excellent manoeuvrability. The 3.5MDX uses high and low range gearing for both forward and reverse, as well as permanent four-wheel drive. A travel speed of up to 12.4mph (20kph) ensures that loads can be moved quickly across sites. With an operating weight of 2,990kg, length of 3.8m, width of 1.9m and


height of 2.8m, the model is compact and highly manoeuvrable. This enables operators to carry high payloads in confined spaces and makes transport between sites quick and simple. Other highlight features include easy reach steps and handrails,


handbrake warning, digital speedometer, fuel loss warning sensor, automatic idle shut-off, park brake test and Stop-Start Control. The new model also features ‘Shield’ as standard, which is Mecalac’s package of safety-critical operator features.


6 Executive Hire News - June 2022


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