This dedicated week will form part of activities taking place across Europe as part of the first ever European Rental Week. The SPOA is a member of the European Rental Association (ERA), which has organised European Rental Week. The theme of European Rental Week 2023 is ‘Investing in People’ and aims to coordinate promotional activities from hire companies to improve the attractiveness of joining the industry, raise awareness of the hire concept and promote hire as a sustainable, cost-effective, and resource-efficient solution.

European Rental Week was developed in collaboration with the National Association and Promotion Committees of ERA. Activities within different countries, including Scotland, will be coordinated and promoted by the national associations within the European Rental Week framework.

Plant Hire Week 2023 will focus activities on the promotion of the industry as an employer, as well as providing an opportunity to promote rental in general.

Michel Petitjean, secretary general of ERA, said: “We are very excited to announce European Rental Week as it is the perfect opportunity to coordinate the promotion of our industry not just within countries, but across the European continent. We can have a bigger voice and a bigger impact by acting together. We are optimistic that European Rental Week will be an annual fixture in the calendars of rental companies and associations, helping us to learn from each other and strengthening our industry to the benefit of all.”

In the lead up to European Rental Week, the ERA is holding a #WorkInRental competition, where it is inviting employees of rental companies to post videos on social media about why they enjoy working in the rental industry and why others should consider a career in rental. All they have to do is post a video on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok before the end of European Rental Week (15th October 2023) using the hashtag #WorkInRental. The creator of the best video will win a trip to Lisbon in May 2024 to be recognised during the ERA Convention and European Rental Awards event.

Callum Mackintosh, president of the SPOA, said: “Plant Hire Week gives us an opportunity to focus on the benefits of and the careers in plant hire, as well as focus on some of our members. We are looking for members to come forward and get involved in Plant Hire Week.

“Already, those working in rental can get involved in the #WorkInRental video competition on social media for the chance of winning a fantastic trip to Lisbon! We would encourage our members to start working on their videos and thinking about any other ways they can mark Plant Hire Week. The SPOA will help to promote member events that are organised, and we are planning a full week of content dedicated to plant hire and careers in plant hire. I really hope that members get behind this initiative and support it.”

To get involved, email info@spoa.org.uk.