What is CPA Stars of the Future?

CPA Stars of the Future is an awards scheme for apprentices and trainees in the construction plant sector, set up by the CPA over 11 years ago. The awards are intended to recognise and reward outstanding apprentices and trainees who not only bring ability and commitment to their learning and their work, but also possess those extra capabilities and attitudes which mark them out as being not only the foundations of the future of the industry, but also potentially its future leaders - the Stars of the Future.

A highlights video from the Stars of the Future 2024 Awards can be viewed below and you can read more about the winners here.

When Does it Run?

The awards programme runs each year. Nominations for the 2025 awards will open on January 1 2025.

Through sponsorship, CPA awards prizes to apprentices and trainees for each category who are judged as Stars of the Future. Apprentices and trainees will be judged on their academic work through their college or training provider, and on their skills and employee attributes in their work environment through their employer.

Who is Eligible?

Stars of the Future is open to those on an apprenticeship or formal training programme, or in the case of apprentice mentor, those supporting apprenticeship achievement.

There are now 9 categories, each with their own distinctive award:

Plant Mechanic (Level 2)
Plant Technician (Level 3)
Lifting Technician
Plant Operative
Young Plant Operative
Hire Controller
Plant Installer
Apprentice Mentor
Technical Support (New for 2025)

There are addiitonal awards such as Best Personal Statement or the Judges Special Award which are decided by the Judging Panel. All nominees are eligible for any of the additional awards.

Technical Support Award

For 2025. the CPA are introducing a new award category of Technical Support and is being made for apprentices or trainees who do not meet any of the other category requirements but are in a role that has a plant technical focus and who are supporting other plant-focussed operations of their business such as: maintenance activities; data handling and supply; hiring activities; sales and marketing activities; parts and/or resources/equipment supply; machine/equipment systems programming/maintenance; site operational planning; supporting external customers etc.

As with the other categories, the nominee for this new award must be on a defined employer-led documented learning programme that is supported by relevant formal externally-assessed qualifications. With a wide range of potential supporting occupations, the CPA Stars Selection Panel will ultimately decide whether the nomination meets their criteria of a Technical Support role. Nominations cannot be accepted for what would be considered general administrative or management functions

When are the Awards?

The Stars of the Future 2024 awards ceremony took place at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Fillongley near Coventry on Thursday 11th July 2024. A highlights video from the awards can be viewed below.

The 2025 Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 10th July 2025.

Making a Nomination

Nominations for the 2025 awards will open on January 1 2025.

Stars of the Future nominations are welcomed from all employers, not just CPA Members, including plant and crane hire companies, manufacturers, contractors, suppliers and others operating in the construction plant and crane sectors with apprentices and trainees in their workforce. Training providers may also nominate apprentices and trainees in conjunction with the employer.

Who can Nominate an Apprentice or Trainee?

Either the employer or training provider is able to nominate an apprentice or trainee.

What do Apprentices and their Employers Need to Do?

All apprentices and those on formal training programmes for each occupation are eligible. Employers and training providers need to complete a nomination form which seeks information about the skills, achievements and attributes of the apprentice or trainee.

The nomination form further provides a section for each apprentice or trainee to give an account of themselves and the good work they have undertaken both in the workplace and at the training centre.

How many Winners are there?

For Plant Mechanics and Technicians, each participating college or employer can identify their Stars of the Future according to CPA's criteria (each at level 2 and level 3). This identifies the regional winners from across the country. These apprentices are then assessed to identify a national winner at each level. The regions for these categories are: North, Midlands, South, Wales and Scotland.

For the Lifting Technician, Hire Controller, Plant Installer, Apprentice Mentor and Technical Support awards, there is one national award for each category. The Plant Operative category is divided by age through a Young Operative award as well as the Plant Operative award.

Who Decides the Winners?

The CPA co-ordinates a Stars of the Future judging panel consisting of invited representatives from the construction plant sector and CPA staff, all of who need to be impartial to any nominee and experienced in the training and education of trainees in the plant sector.

What are the Prizes?

Stars of the Future winners will be in contention for a number of impressive prizes depending on the category entered. Previous prizes have included the likes of fully equipped tool kits, iPads, training courses and all-expenses trips abroad.

Sponsorship

We are delighted that the CPA Stars of the Future Awards 2024 were held in association with event sponsors GAP Group and L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage, award sponsors ACOP Group, Liebherr, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage, M O'Brien Plant Hire, NOCN Group, Southern Hoist Services, Wolffkran and lunch sponsors Plant Planet. The event was also supported by JCB. Please see the highlights video below.

We will be seeking sponsorship for the 2025 awards. For further information, please contact Lisa Collins on 07968 840390 or email lisa@lisacollinscommunications.co.uk