Talented Reaseheath trained engineer Alisha Giles has carried off two top awards in a competition aimed at finding the nation’s best construction plant apprentices.
Alisha, 20, was national runner-up in the Level 2 Plant Mechanic of the Year category in the prestigious Construction Plant-hire Association’s (CPA) Stars of the Future Awards. She had earlier won the regional title and went head to head against seven winners from other colleges in the national finals.
The competition is an annual highlight for the construction plant industry and showcases the talent of future leaders within the plant sector. There were 70 very strong entries throughout the categories and judges were extremely impressed with the standard of entries.
Alisha is an apprentice construction plant fitter with GAP Hire Solutions, the UK’s leading independent equipment hire company. Based in Brighton, she attends Reaseheath’s Engineering department for off-the-job training.
She completed her Level 2 apprenticeship in the last academic year and has progressed onto her Level 3 apprenticeship, alongside which she is studying for a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with the Open University.
Once qualified she hopes to become a workshop foreman and eventually a chief engineer.
Alisha, who heard her achievements announced live at an on-line ceremony, said:
“My family has been involved in construction plant for many generations and my dad encouraged me from a young age to get involved with engines, machinery and vehicles. He inspired me to become a plant fitter and to prove to myself and others that there is nothing stopping women from succeeding in this male dominated industry.
Everything about an engine captivates me, from the noise to researching each component – and the joy of finding and solving issues. I apply everything I’ve learned at college back at my workplace. All my lecturers have worked in the industry and put themselves out to support me.”
Reaseheath’s Construction Plant Programme Leader Jon Rowley said:
“Alisha is a very deserving winner who thoroughly deserves the recognition of these prestigious awards. She demonstrates fantastic capability and leadership qualities and is definitely future management material. She consistently earns very positive feedback from both Reaseheath and from her employer.”
Christopher Turner, GAP’s General Manager, Brighton depot, added:
“We are delighted that Alisha has received these top awards. She is a very motivated young lady with a great work ethic and thirst for knowledge. She is a credit to our company and we hope that her success will encourage other female engineers into the profession.
“GAP Hire Solutions has a long established working partnership with Reaseheath and we are continuing to develop our training programme together to ensure our apprentices remain at the top of the industry.”
Other Reaseheath trained apprentices nominated for the Level 2 regional competition were oshua Foord (Highly Commended, Sunbelt Rentals), Joe Ball (AP Webb), Kurt Vardey (Sunbelt Rentals) and Liam Arnold (Clee Hill Plant).
Sam Jones (Ridgway Rentals) was regional winner In the Level 3 Plant Technician of the Year category and Brandon Parker (KCM) was also nominated. Josh Smith (Clee Hill Plant) was put forward for the Employer Nominated Plant Technician of the Year.
Reaseheath Engineering is a UK leader in construction plant training and the preferred trainer for many leading companies.
For more information please contact the Reaseheath Business Hub team on 01270 613221 or businessgrowth@reaseheath.ac.uk.
