CPA appoints training and safety manager

UK trade body, the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), has appointed Rob Squires as training and safety manager. Squires was formerly training manager of the National Demolition Group. He has also worked for the British Armed Forces and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) – where he oversaw the staffing and delivery mechanisms for construction-based card schemes including CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme), CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme), and CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme).

Squires is now responsible for supporting all the CPA’s ‘Special Interest’ groups and its ‘Training on Plant in Construction’ (TOPIC) group. He will also work closely with the CITB and other organisations to ensure that CPA members’ training requirements are met, relevant and effectively delivered. Squires will ensure that grant aid continues to be available and will seek new funding opportunities for CPA members from the CITB and other funding bodies.

CPA chief executive, Colin Wood, commented, “I’ve known Rob for a number of years and I’m very pleased to welcome him to our CPA team and know that he will make a great contribution to the work of the Association and to the plant sector in general.”

CPA director, Kevin Minton, said, “Rob’s background in training delivery and management will be of great benefit to the Association and with the advent of the CSCS-badged card initiative which is affecting many of the CPA members, Rob’s knowledge of card scheme requirements and his contacts with CITB and CSCS will allow us to thoroughly support the membership on these issues.”

Squires added, “I’m very pleased to join the CPA and look forward to making a valuable contribution to the Association and supporting the Members in navigating the sometimes complex issues of carding, funding, qualification and training delivery requirements.”