Gordon is a smooth operator at national heavy plant challenge
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A CULLEN man has been crowned the winner of the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge, following a closely fought competition recently at Errol Airfield.
The competition, organised by the Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) and sponsored by Morris Leslie Plant Hire, Blackwood Plant Hire, Balgownie, JCB, Tygris Industrial and Kubota, saw plant operators from as far north as Shetland to as far south as the Borders perform a number of challenges to find the best plant operator.
Gordon Durno, aged 56, who works for Currie Contractors in Moray, demonstrated his skills honed over a lifetime in the industry. It was perhaps fitting that Jamie Currie, aged 16 and employed at Glenturas Construction, came third in the competition, having been mentored by Mr Durno from a very young age.
Speaking about his win, Mr Durno said: “What a great event and I am thrilled to have won and to see Jamie come third is the icing on the cake.
"We need more young people like Jamie to want to operate plant, enjoy it, and importantly build a career from it.”
The Scottish Plant Operator Challenge was a successful competition for plant operators from the north of Scotland with first and third place going to plant operators from Moray and second place being awarded to Scott Hamilton from Hamilton Plant Hire in Inverness.
The judges came from a broad spectrum of the industry and included Chris Bushell and Chris Blake from the National Construction College, Frank McHugh from Blackwood Training and Tomasz Orkiszewski from Goldcast Academy.
Commenting on the quality of plant operators, Mr Blake said: “It was an honour for both Chris and I to be invited to judge and support the event.
"The winners of both the individual categories and the overall competition were worthy of the accolades they received with a high standard of operating on show. We look forward to further supporting the event in the future.”
Mr Bushell added: “It was great to see so many operators turn out for the event and represent the plant sector.
"These events provide a great opportunity to promote the plant operator profession and recognise the unsung workforce who support the wider construction industry and share their vast experience with new entrants coming into the industry.”
The winners of the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge shared a prize pot of £3000 with £1800 awarded to the winner, £900 to the runner up and £300 to third place.
The organisers also recognised the top performers from each challenge who each received £100.
The complete list of winners from the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge: Winners: 1st overall – Gordon Durno; 2nd overall – Scott Hamilton; 3rd overall – Jamie Currie. Category winners: Shape it Up – Scott Hamilton; Trenching – Gordon Durno; JCB 3CX – Stephen McCormick; On the Grade – Fiona Wilson; 6 Ball Challenge – Gordon Durno; Loading the Truck – William Frame.
