Are you Britain’s best bulldozer driver? A world-class wheel loader operator? The search is on for Operator of the Year, with £10,000 in prize money up for grabs in a dedicated all-day festival of construction. This is the competition’s third year, run by UK Plant Operators Magazine (UKPO) and supported
Autonomous driving could be the answer to the 10% fatality rate on construction sites caused by moving vehicles. The autonomous function is now moving beyond just passenger cars and transportation vehicles and expanding into the various sectors. The construction industry welcomes this exciting new addition to the fleet. Here’s what to look
Are you Britain’s best bulldozer driver? A world-class wheel loader operator? The search is on for Operator of the Year, with £10,000 in prize money up for grabs in a dedicated all-day festival of construction. This is the competition’s third year, run by UK Plant Operators Magazine (UKPO) and supported by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The event attracts substantial interest from owners, operators, hirers and contractors from across the UK. UK Plant Operators Magazine recognises that the industry faces a severe skills gap, urgent attention is required, as such this issue is at the strategic heart of the publication’s output. The nation’s leading contractors and hirers, through close relationships with the magazine, promote the operation of plant machinery as a rewarding and sustainable career path. The pathway to becoming a plant operator has been simplified with best-in-class training available through the CITB National Construction College (NCC) in Bircham. The best plant hire companies are providing excellent terms and conditions, first class opportunities and the latest technology. Creating a safer, smarter and cleaner environment to attract the next generation of UK Plant Operators. UK Plant Operator Magazine publisher Brian Coogan said: “We are delighted to welcome the CITB as headline sponsors of the 2023 campaign. As industry leaders the CITB supports the skills needs of the construction industry. We share the same values and face the same challenges. We look forward to working together to champion the sector, create awareness of the need for, and advantages gained, from quality training… all for the good of the UK construction industry.” In 2023 the UK Plant Operator of the Year campaign will see some exciting developments, with leading UK hirers and contractors entering teams to compete in a series of challenges across a range of Excavators, Telehandlers, Compact Loaders, Bulldozers, Backhoes, Wheel Loaders and Tilt Rotators, to name a few. The very latest models, supplied by the world’s leading manufacturers. The event is open to all to enter once they have their equipment tickets up to date. Finalists will demonstrate their skill and knowledge, in addition to showcasing the technological and engineered solutions the machines deliver, supporting the industry to be safer and more sustainable, whilst improving performance. The 2023 event will expand further with the introduction of a Scottish heat in July, the winners will qualify for the final on 30th September at the National Construction College. Brian Coogan added: “Working with the UK’s leading training authority, we will deliver together a message to the industry that encourages training, helping to build a safe, professional and fully qualified workforce.” Gary Cumiskey, Head of NCC Curriculum Delivery at CITB, said: “This is such a fun event and showcases all sorts of skills on various types of machines. But there’s also a serious message behind it, as we seek to attract the next generation of workers to fill skills shortages in the UK. The benefits of these careers are obvious, so I’d invite operators across the country or anyone who is curious about a construction career to join us for this exciting event and find out more.” To find out more about the campaign and register your interest visit https://ukplantoperators.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Autonomous driving could be the answer to the 10% fatality rate on construction sites caused by moving vehicles. The autonomous function is now moving beyond just passenger cars and transportation vehicles and expanding into the various sectors. The construction industry welcomes this exciting new addition to the fleet. Here’s what to look forward to. The Future Is Here While it may seem as though manufacturers are still working out the teething issues in autonomous technology, the future is on our doorstep and 22 states in the U.S. have already passed legislation detailing the legalities of autonomous vehicles. This legislation is the beginning of the end of driving as we know it and the construction industry is hot on the heels of passenger cars and taxis for their piece of autonomous pie. From mining vehicles to dozers, those in the industry estimate these heavyweights to start making their appearance within the next decade. New Hope For Construction Workers Construction workers, and especially those working on the roads, often have to face dangerous situations to get the job done. Impact protection vehicles were designed to prevent collisions with the workers by featuring a crumple zone made for impact. Previously, these vehicles still needed a driver but thanks to autonomous technology, drivers are also now spared from potential impact. The Ability To Pick and Choose While the construction industry still needs to wait in line for its share of driverless vehicles, by the time they arrive on the scene, the passenger and transportation motoring world will already be flooded with used vehicles looking for a new owner. The first batch of autonomous vehicles will be around for eight years by the time construction vehicles make their appearance, which means upgrades are inevitable. Autonomous Vehicles Are Just A Part Of It Just when you thought autonomous driving was the only new technology making waves in the construction industry, predictive analytics comes along and swoops every hard hat right off their feet. This technology is a boon for the safety side of a construction site, as the analytics are able to prepare scenarios based on the information provided. Pair that up with autonomous vehicles and construction sites will soon have a 0% work accident rate. Innovative technology paves the way for safer construction sites and creates opportunities where workers feared to tread. The pairing up of technology such as autonomous driving and predictive analytics is a sure way to improve safety ratings at the very least. This will be a decade of growth and possibility for the multi-billion pound construction industry as it awaits the arrival of that driverless bulldozer.
