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SPOA opens nominations for Apprenticeship Awards

The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) has opened nominations for the SPOA Apprenticeship Awards 2026/27.

For 2026/27, the awards have been expanded to give SPOA member companies across Scotland the opportunity to nominate outstanding apprentices from their own businesses, whether their training is delivered through CITB or an alternative training provider.

There are two categories for the SPOA Apprenticeship Awards: Plant Operator of the Year and Plant Mechanic of the Year. The awards are open to apprentices employed by a SPOA member company who are either still in training, or who have completed their apprenticeship in the 12 months prior to the closing date for nominations. 

Members can nominate through a simple application process, with supporting evidence welcomed. The application form can be downloaded from the SPOA website here. 

All nominations will be considered by our judging panel made up of Gail McEwen, Darran Mellish and Craig Purvis from the SPOA Executive Committee. 

Speaking about the SPOA Apprenticeship Awards 2026/27, Gail McEwen, Vice President of the SPOA, said: “The SPOA Apprenticeship Awards are now in their fifth year and announcing the winners is always a highlight of the SPOA Annual Dinner. By introducing this change in the nomination process we hope that more of our members will get involved in acknowledging and celebrating their apprentices who represent such an investment in the future of the industry. 

“We know that there are some exceptional apprentices within our member businesses and the SPOA Apprenticeship Awards is a great way of celebrating the talent in our industry. Good luck to all our apprentices who receive a nomination!”

The nomination deadline is 30^th November and the SPOA Plant Operator of the Year and Plant Mechanic of the Year 2026/27 will be announced at the SPOA Annual Dinner on 5^th February 2027 at the Glasgow Hilton.

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