Why consider a career in construction?

Whatever your skillset, the construction industry has a variety of different paths. Here at Flannery, we are passionate about recruiting hardworking, talented people into the sector while providing a stable and developing career path in plant hire. Our structured training and apprenticeship programmes are delivered through a blended approach of ‘on’ and ‘off’ the job training where candidates earn while they learn.

In February 2021 we launched the Operator Skills Hub – a purpose-built facility in Birmingham offering innovative training programmes to support those who want to join the construction industry and upskill current plant operators in the UK. Watch what the Operator Skills Hub is all about here.

Career opportunities at Flannery

We are keen to attract new talent into the sector and are committed to widening the talent pool for recruitment in order to support skills, employment challenges and to continuously develop the diversity of our workforce.

For those who are new to the industry, we provide in-house training modules which complement the CPCS scheme and are widely recognised by the industry. All operators must hold the relevant CPCS category as standard and Flannery can then support inexperienced operators through a range of familiarisation and upskilling modules. The CPCS scheme allows you to immediately start your career the additional modules available via Flannery / the Operator Skills Hub and our onsite mentoring program will support your professional development.

Flannery employs a team of dedicated CPCS Plant Trainers to support all operators onsite, alongside them we aim to link new operators to a site mentor, a provision that is proving really valuable to many of our inexperienced plant operatives.

If you are interested in a career in construction, please email enquiries@operatorskillshub.com.

Apprenticeships

As a business, we are excited about recruiting new apprentices. Our structured programme is delivered through a blended approach of ‘on’ and ‘off’ the job training and candidates earn while they learn. We have adopted a supportive culture for our apprentices, with access to company mentors, FIR ambassadors, mental health first aiders and well-being support.

The Operator Skills Hub, our brand-new facility utilises state-of-the-art training simulators as well as the latest semi-autonomous vehicles to prepare plant operators and apprentices for the modern-day, digitally enabled construction site.

Read more about Flannery apprenticeships here.

Switching careers and becoming a Plant Operator

It is no secret that the current pandemic has had a major impact on many professions, and few as severe as to an airline pilot. Conversely, the construction sector is buoyant, with a high demand for people and skills. A great solution for those looking for a career change. Patrick, who switched his career from airline pilot to plant operator. Whether in a plane or an ADT (articulated dump truck), Patrick has always enjoyed a career that kept him in the cockpit.

After a very brief career in the aviation industry, the pandemic situation profoundly changed the global market and airline industry most notably. Patrick made the decision to immediately search for a robust alternative career that will recognise his learning mindset and high commitment to work. Read on to hear about Patrick’s story, what attracted him to the industry and his advice to people who are thinking about a career in construction here.

From Apprentice to “Plant Operative of the Year”

Danielle joined the Flannery team as an apprentice in November 2019 and has already won the “Plant Operative of the Year” award at the 2020 CPA Stars of the Future Awards: “I really enjoy seeing the fruits of my labour, whether that be a new road, a building or even a golf course.”

Danielle joined us having started her working life in a bank as an auditor, looking for a career that was more hands-on and outdoors led her to investigate construction apprenticeships. Starting her career on-site operating an articulated dumper, Danielle moved onto a dozer within three months of being on-site – a record for a Flannery apprentice. Find out more about Danielle’s personal experience at Flannery here.