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The Operator Skills Hub has trained 1,000 students, providing a route into careers in plant operations
A partnership between Balfour Beatty and Flannery Plant Hire has trained the 1,000th student at its Operator Skills Hub.
The Balfour Beatty Flannery initiative provides trainees with a direct path into employment – with an 80% job conversion rate.
Established in 2021 and supported by the UK government’s Skills Bootcamp initiative, the hub offers training and apprenticeship schemes in plant operations.
It aims to attract new talent to the sector while upskilling existing operators, with graduates including women (5%), young people (13%), previously unemployed people (27%), people with disabilities (12%), ex-offenders (4%), and veterans (5%).
As part of the initiative, a purpose-built facility in Birmingham provides 200 supplementary courses for current plant operators to further upskill.
Balfour Beatty Flannery’s 1,000th student, Abigail Cleverley (pictured above, centre), achieved a nationally recognised accreditation through the Skills Bootcamp initiative to operate articulated dumper trucks and rollers.
She has since secured a role at Balfour Beatty Vinci – HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands.
Meaningful careers
“Completing my training at the Operator Skills Hub has been an incredible experience. The hands-on approach and state-of-the-art equipment gave me the confidence and skills I need to succeed in this industry now and in the future,” commented Cleverley.
“Thanks to the training, I’ve not only gained a nationally recognised qualification but also secured a role with Balfour Beatty Vinci – one of the most exciting infrastructure projects in the UK. I can’t wait to be part of such a transformative scheme and to contribute to building the UK’s future infrastructure.”
Cleverley received her certificate from Andy Ormerod, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s asset and technology solutions (pictured above, left) and Patrick Flannery, managing director of Flannery Plant Hire (above, right).
Discussing the Operator Skills Hub, Ormerod said: “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing here in partnership with Flannery. Together, we’re opening doors to meaningful careers for people from all backgrounds – many of whom might never have seen construction and infrastructure as an exciting career path until they joined us.
“As we look ahead to the future, we’re committed to continuing our work to close the industry’s skills gap, creating a diverse and inclusive culture in our sector and providing a skilled and resilient workforce that can deliver for the UK in the future.”
Flannery added: “The Operator Skills Hub has allowed us to provide an opportunity to both new entrants into the industry and those existing plant operators looking to upskill through our skills bootcamp in plant operations.
“Along with a diverse array of learners from career changers to veterans, we have engaged with over 50 employers to secure meaningful and sustainable employment benefiting the wider industry.”
