The Construction Plant Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship is the brainchild of a “trailblazer group” chaired by Flannery Plant Hire director Patrick Flannery.

The group – which also contains clients HS2 and Highways England – first met back in 2016 and has been working on the apprenticheship scheme ever since.

Flannery said: “After many years of developing this apprenticeship, we’re pleased to have passed the final hurdle.

“As a team, we are looking forward to engaging with potential providers and ensuring the very best training for our future apprentices.

“More than ever, we need to attract new talent and we hope industry will support our efforts and take up this important apprenticeship.”

Apprentices will learn on four machines over a fifteen-month period.

Course content includes learning operator-level servicing and basic maintenance techniques as well as the marshalling of plant.

Peter Brown, Technical Manager of the Construction Plant-hire Association said: “The work of the CPA is now to promote and support the delivery of this apprenticeship to employers and industry”.

Paul Whitehead, Highways England Category Manager for Construction Plant added: “Highways England has supported the ‘trailblazer group’ on its journey from the beginning and this milestone is important for the industry as a whole.

“Most of the group’s membership is drawn from Highways England’s Construction Plant Community where the need for more Construction Plant operators to deliver on future infrastructure schemes is widely acknowledged.

“This training will enable new and highly-skilled operatives to enter the wider sector and help Highways England to keep the country connected.”

The CPA and Flannery Plant Hire are now looking to invite training providers and colleges to deliver the programme .

Anyone interested should contact [email protected].