1,000 Operators Trained at Operator Skills Hub!
Flannery Plant Hire, in partnership with Balfour Beatty, is proud to celebrate the training of its 1,000th student at the Operator Skills Hub. This milestone highlights our ongoing commitment to tackling the UK’s construction skills gap while championing diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
With the UK construction industry predicted to need over 250,000 additional workers by 2028, the Operator Skills Hub has become a vital resource for driving change. Supported by the UK Government’s Skills Bootcamp initiative, the Hub provides state-of-the-art training in plant operations, combining innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on experience. The results are remarkable: 80% of trainees secure employment, significantly outperforming the national average of 36%.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
At Flannery, we believe the future of the construction industry lies in its ability to attract talent from all backgrounds. More than 60% of the Hub’s graduates are from underrepresented groups, including women (5%), young people (13%), veterans (5%), people with disabilities (12%), ex-offenders (4%), and the previously unemployed (27%). By fostering a diverse workforce, we are helping to build a more inclusive and representative industry.
Preparing for a Modern Future
Since its launch in 2021, the purpose-built Operator Skills Hub in Birmingham has also delivered over 200 supplementary courses for experienced plant operators, enabling them to upskill and adapt to the demands of today’s digitally enabled construction sites. This training ensures that both new and experienced operators are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to support the industry’s evolving needs.
The Hub’s 1,000th Skills Bootcamp graduate, Abigail Cleverley, completed her training to operate articulated dump trucks and rollers, earning a nationally recognised qualification. Abigail has since secured a role with Balfour Beatty VINCI, contributing to the transformative HS2 project in the West Midlands.
Reflecting on her experience, Abigail said:
“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. Thanks to the training, I’ve not only gained a nationally recognised qualification but also secured a role with Balfour Beatty VINCI on HS2 – one of the most exciting infrastructure projects in the UK.”
Collaboration Driving Success
Patrick Flannery, Managing Director of Flannery Plant Hire, expressed his pride in the initiative, saying:
“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. Alongside 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.”
Andy Ormerod, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Asset & Technology Solutions, echoed these sentiments:
“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. We’re committed to continuing this work to close the industry’s skills gap and create a resilient workforce for the future.”
With training facilities like the Operator Skills Hub and initiatives across the UK, Flannery remains at the forefront of preparing the next generation of construction professionals. Through innovation, inclusion, and opportunity, we’re not just building careers but also laying the foundations for the future of UK infrastructure.
