UK Plant Operator of the Year competition returns

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and UK Plant Operators (UKPO) Magazine are today announcing the return of the annual ‘UK Plant Operator of the Year’ competition (UKPOOTY). The event, now in its fifth year, will enjoy its third successive final at CITB’s National Construction College (NCC) in Bircham Newton, Norfolk.

This year’s UKPOOTY competition – the largest independent plant operator event in the UK – will take place on Saturday 12 July and will feature ten unique challenges for plant operators to showcase their skills. The overall winner collects the grand prize of £10,000, with further case prizes awarded to runners up, in addition to the winners of each challenge being awarded a trophy and £250. The event brings together the best plant operator competitors, global manufacturers, national and regional plant hirers and contractors. The ‘festival of construction’ is also attended by industry professionals and stakeholders, those wanting to join the industry, and their families.

The ten unique category challenges are held simultaneously to find a respective winner, the challenges include: Excavators, Mini-Excavators, Site Dumpers, Backhoes, Articulated Dump Trucks, Tiltrotators, Grapple Grabs, Fork Attachments, Dozers, and Wheeled Loaders. No other UK plant operator competition offers finalists the variety of brands to compete on.

Plant operatives are one of the most in demand occupations in the construction industry. Recent research by CITB estimates that the sector needs over 2,000 more plant operatives over the next four years to meet forecasted construction growth.

Kirsty Evans, Executive Principal for NCC, said: “We’re looking forward to hosting the UK Plant Operators competition again at our National Construction College in Bircham Newton.

“This annual event is open for everyone to attend – from experienced plant operators demonstrating their skills, construction employers wanting to attend and support, those interested in a career in the sector, or even people just looking for a fun day out. It’s a great opportunity to demonstrate support for the plant sector and showcase the brilliant opportunities and high-quality training that’s on offer for plant operators as well as new apprentices.”

Jeff Schofield, Director of UK Plant Operators Magazine: “UKPO Magazine is once again delighted to work with CITB to deliver the fastest growing construction event in the UK. Finals day provides quite the spectacle with so many live working challenges, demos and live commentary. With attendances growing year on year, we trust the event will provide the inspiration for many to consider a career in construction, a journey that begins for many by training and upskilling with CITB.”

Finals day is a celebration of construction, and the brands sponsoring the challenges will have stands to welcome and interact with visitors, helping highlight the career opportunities on offer.

Registrations to compete at the UK Plant Operator of the Year are open from today, 27 February until 13 June 2025. Register online here.

Visitor tickets for UKPOOTY will be available on Eventbrite from 4 April to 12 July.

CITB would like to thank all its sponsors, supporters and strategic partners of this year’s UK Plant Operator of the Year competition.