A-Plant has always been associated with offering an outstanding apprenticeship programme since its creation in 2005 and A-Plant is extremely proud that out of 1,600 applicants, Dale Lidbetter, Plant Maintenance Apprentice for the company, was awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ certificate and recognition for the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ category at the North West regional heat of the prestigious National Apprenticeship Awards, held at Haydock Park Racecourse and presented by members of the North West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.
The Awards run by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), are open to all organisations who employ apprentices, as well as to apprentices themselves and are designed to recognise apprentices and employers not just for excelling in their chosen field, but also for spreading opportunity and enhancing the nation’s sense of drive and aspiration.
Dale, who works at A-Plant’s Leatherhead Service Centre in Surrey, began his apprenticeship in 2009 due to his passion and enthusiasm in mechanics and plant maintenance. After successfully achieving his NVQ Level 2, Dale is now working towards completing his NVQ Level 3 and continues to use his initiative and forward thinking attitude to progress his apprenticeship and in turn his chosen future career path.
Sue Price, director for the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) in the North West said: “This year’s awards were a terrific showcase of the outstanding wealth of Apprenticeship talent that we have across the country….it’s been a tough year for businesses and the economy, but the awards have given Apprenticeships the chance to shine - showing that they are key to growth during the economic upturn.”
The A-Plant Apprenticeship Scheme provides the ideal opportunity to build a career in plant maintenance, goods driving or customer service. As one of the UK’s largest rental companies, A-Plant has an unrivalled range of equipment and tools so there is a huge variety that A-Plant Apprentices can work on during the 3 year scheme. Combining ‘block release’ at Reaseheath College in Cheshire as well as on-the-job training at an associated A-Plant Service Centre the Apprenticeship Scheme gives dedicated individuals all the training and support they need to develop a skilled trade.
Gràinne Patterson, A-Plant’s Talent and Organisational Culture Manager and Ambassador for the A-Plant Apprenticeship Scheme said: “For Dale to be ‘highly commended’ for ‘Apprentice of the Year’ is a fantastic achievement not only for himself but for A-Plant as a company. Dale is a very focused individual and this has been recognised by the largest Apprenticeship awarding body in the UK which he should be extremely proud of. A-Plant is delighted that Dale fought off the 1,600 strong competition to make it through to the North West regional finals and we are sure he will have a strong career in his chosen field upon the completion of his Apprenticeship.”
Upon achieving this accolade Dale commented: “I am extremely happy to have been ‘highly commended’ for my achievements so far in my Apprenticeship. I love the job I do and I hope that this has shown through in me achieving this commendation. I am looking forward to continuing the A-Plant Apprenticeship Scheme, achieving my NVQ Level 3 and progressing in a career and job that I am so dedicated and passionate about.”
A-Plant is one of the UK’s largest hirers of Plant, Tools and Specialist Equipment with more than 1,800 employees nationwide and over 30,000 customers in the construction, industrial, commercial, utility, public sector, homeowner and events markets. The firm, which forms part of the FTSE-250 company Ashtead Group plc, has in excess in 110,000 items of Plant, Tools and Specialist Equipment available to hire from almost 100 Service Centres across mainland UK.
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