We need to invest in industry recognised Construction Plant Manager training ASAP

Dean Holmes, Director at JN Bentley talks about the need for accredited training in this in-depth interview with Peter Haddock, following his big post on LinkedIn (see link below).

Dean: "Today there are a whole myriad of other jobs that fall within the plant management structure. It's very similar to the development of the IT sector.

"At first, it was all about hardware, like knowing how an engine works, oil pressures, and how each asset functioned to understand how to maintain it. But now, the focus of the IT sector is all about software.

"Similarly, with modern plant management, you've now got to understand big data, different OEM platforms and how to interface with them. You've then got to report on sustainability, collate your carbon emissions and understand the whole life costing of your fleet etc. So, as a sector, we have now got a much broader pool of disciplines which could come into the plant management role. 

"And it doesn't stop there as both onboard and retrofitted technologies like payload monitoring, AI driven camera systems and 3D machine control now all come under the remit of plant management.

"There are also many things to think about as we make the transition to electrification, other alternative fuels and digital construction.

"The challenge is that unlike the much larger operator community, plant management teams are often quite a niche and much smaller compared to the context of the rest of the organisation in which they work.

"So if we are to keep and attract the plant managers and teams of the future, we need to professionalise this key part of our sector and reward those in it with recognised qualifications.

"To do this, we will need the whole industry to come together. And with help from organisations like the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), CPA - Construction Plant-hire Association, National Federation of Demolition Contractors Mineral Products Association I am sure we can take the first steps."

Peter added: “I am certainly supporting Dean with his call for change, and you can also read an article from him in the latest edition of Earthmovers Magazine.

Here is the link to the post that kicked off his post below:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7184857522921480192-7lOb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop