Industry Training Services (ITS) has launched its annual search to find Northern Ireland's best plant operator.

ITS NI Plant Operator of the Year 2018 will have companies compete to be recognised as the best in their field across 360 excavator and telescopic handler categories.

This year will be the second competition, after its launch in 2017. Last year Alexander Campbell from Donaghcloney in Armagh won the overall award.

The competitors will take part in a series of timed challenges, including precision excavation and lifting tasks, during heats starting this month.

-- Advertisement --

The Finals Day, taking place this autumn, will see the best entrants compete head-to-head to find the leading operator in each category, with an overall ITS Northern Ireland Plant Operator of the Year being crowned.

ITS Managing Director Brendan Crealey said: "As the leading tuition provider in the safe usage of machinery, we wanted to design a fun and sociable way of recognising the impressive expertise of these highly-skilled construction workers.

"Northern Ireland industry has a reputation for sourcing high quality operators for jobs across Ireland, the UK and even further afield. The Plant Operator of the Year shows the appreciation we have for the hard work that goes into construction every day and rewards those showing the highest levels of competence and excellence."

ITS has partnered with Finning and Plant and Civil Engineer for this year's competition.

(CM)