Edwards, who has more than 35 years of experience in the construction training and skills sector, brings knowledge of training and certification, funding and grants, as well as a background in working with employers and training providers.

The new position will see Edwards working directly with CPA members to learn of their skills and training needs, find appropriate training and funding opportunities, and deliver guidance and support to help businesses develop their team. 

The new role will also see Edwards working with training providers, colleges, awarding organisations, and other industry bodies to find opportunities and foster potential partnerships that support CPA members. 

Edwards started her career with The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), firstly working in administration and support for plant card and certification schemes, such as CTA and CPCS. 

She later provided guidance on plant grants and funding before she established the CPCS Logbook Monitoring Programme. This involved regular face-to-face visits with employers.

Edwards ultimately entered CPCS scheme development and delivery, aiding the development and delivery of the scheme, but later joined CPA member Falcon Cranes as training manager. 

As the training manager, she was responsible for establishing and managing its Training Centre, where she attained experience in sourcing and managing training and certification requirements, alongside funding and grant claims.

Edwards said: “I am very much looking forward to working with CPA members and helping them navigate training, skills, recruitment and funding opportunities and making the process as straightforward as possible.”

She will also support the CPA’s careers and sector promotion drive, working alongside the CPA’s careers and apprenticeship teams to promote the career pathway of plant hire.