Flannery Newsletter: January 2026

2 February 2026

Welcome to January's edition of the Flannery Plant Hire LinkedIn Newsletter!

It's been an exciting Jump into January to kickstart 2026. Continuing our development in training and innovation - Here are the Highlights!

Spotlight: Molly Gill's Journey Into Construction

This month, we wanted to highlight the inspiring journey of Molly Gill, whose experience reflects the growing opportunities available for people entering construction industry from non-traditional backgrounds.

Molly began her career as a nursery assistant, but her ambitions led her to explore a new direction. Seeking a role that offered progression, practical skills and long term career potential, she made the decision to transition into construction, a move that quickly proved the right choice.

Through a series of Skills Bootcamps delivered by the Operator Skills Hub, Molly steadily built her capabilities. She achieved her ADT, Dumper and Tracked Dumper tickets, before continuing her development and successfully securing her Excavator qualification. Her progression highlights not only her own determination but also the structured, supportive and inclusive training environment provided by the Operator Skills Hub.

Molly’s story demonstrates that construction is a sector open to talent from all backgrounds, and that with the right support, individuals can build fulfilling careers at every level. It also reflects the positive shift taking place across the industry, as more women pursue roles in plant operations and other areas that are traditionally underrepresented.

At Flannery, we’re committed to continuing this momentum throughout 2026 and beyond. Supporting individuals like Molly is central to our mission to create a more diverse and accessible industry for the future.

For those considering a career in plant operations, or anyone looking for a fresh start, the opportunities are there. The first step is simply the decision to begin. The Operator Skills Hub is ready to support that journey.

Strengthening Community Through Sport: Our Partnership with London Ladies Gaelic Football

This month, we were pleased to welcome members of the London Ladies Gaelic Football management team to our Wembley office. Their visit marked an important moment in our year long partnership, as they presented framed shirts to recognise the support Flannery has provided throughout the programme’s development. The occasion also included a full squad photograph in the Flannery sponsored kit, capturing the progress made during the first year of collaboration.

Flannery’s commitment to supporting organisations that demonstrate ambition, structure and long term development is at the heart of our community engagement. The London Ladies programme embodies these values, focusing on creating strong foundations, establishing a clear framework and proving players with the environment they need to grow and perform.

Team Manager Jimmy Creedon reflected on the impact of the sponsorship during the visit, noting:

Through Flannery’s sponsorship, we were able to successfully set up the London Ladies structure in year one, helping us to create a foundation by which we can build on, in line with our five-year plan to win the All Ireland Championship.

Through this partnership, the team has been able to access playing and training kit, high-quality facilities at Gael London, strength and conditioning resources, and essential training equipment. Support has also extended to travel, accommodation and preparation for Championship fixtures in Ireland – key elements in enabling the team to compete at the highest level.

Initiatives like this demonstrate the importance of investing in structured development and strong leadership. They also reflect Flannery’s belief that success is built through environments where people can progress, perform and thrive – both on and off the pitch.

Expanding Skills and Opportunities on Major UK Infrastructure Projects

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work at Flannery Plant Hire is our continued involvement in delivering skills, training and long-term opportunities across some of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects. These programmes not only support project delivery but also help build a stronger, future ready construction workforce.

Across the country, Flannery is developing new pathways that enable local people to enter the industry, gain valuable qualifications and progress into sustainable employment. This commitment is central to addressing the national skills shortage and ensuring the sector has the capability it needs for years to come.

A key example of this work is our collaboration with partners including Gallagher Group Ltd on the Lower Thames Crossing. Together, we supported the launch of the project’s first Skills Hub pilot – an initiative designed to provide hands on, work based training that equips individuals from a wide range of backgrounds with industry recognised certifications and clear routes into employment through the supply chain.

This pilot reflects the ambition of Lower Thames Crossing’s wider skills strategy, which focuses on creating meaningful opportunities for training, apprenticeships and lifelong careers. It also highlights what can be achieved through genuine collaboration between contractors, training providers and local stakeholders.

Flannery remains committed to helping close the skills gap by championing inclusive and accessible training that offers real prospects for career development. As this once in a generation project moves closer to delivery, we look forward to continuing our involvement and supporting the next wave of workforce development.

A Year of Growth and Impact at the Operator Skills Hub

This past year has marked another significant step forward for the Operator Skills Hub, as we continued to support thousands of learners across the UK and strengthen the communities in which we operate. The Hub’s mission has always been clear: to provide accessible, high quality training that creates real opportunities for people looking to build careers in plant operations and the wider construction sector. In 2025, that mission translated into meaningful outcomes for learners from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Throughout the year, our team delivered Skills Bootcamps, specialist training programmes and on site assessments that helped individuals gain industry recognised qualifications and progress directly into employment. From entry level operators taking their first steps into the industry, to experienced professionals upskilling into new categories, the Operator Skills Hub has become a reliable pathway into long term, rewarding careers.

Our training centres in Birmingham, Iver and Kirklees continued to play an essential role in bridging the national skills gap. Each site has supported its local community by offering structured learning environments, modern equipment and experienced instructors who bring real world knowledge to every course. The growth of employer partnerships has further strengthened this, helping us align training with real workforce demand and ensuring learners move into jobs with clear progression routes.

As we look ahead, 2026 represents a year of continued momentum. The Operator Skills Hub will expand it’s reach, evolve it’s curriculum and continue developing future operators who are confident, capable and ready to contribute to major UK infrastructure projects. Our focus remains the same: delivering training that changes lives, supports industry needs and builds a more resilient construction workforce.

For anyone considering a new direction this year, there has never been a better time to start. New year. New career. Begin your journey with the Operator Skills Hub.

Feature: Innovation Everywhere Episode 4

In Episode 4 of our Innovation. Everywhere. Series, we explore the energy transition through the lens of one of the most iconic machines in our fleet – the Bell B20E, widely recognised as the most fuel-efficient ADT on the market. With hundreds operating across our projects every day, the B20E plays a key role in improving productivity while supporting lower emission operations.

The episode forms part of our industry’s first dedicated 7 – part series focused on the future of plant and technology, showcasing the innovations shaping how we build, work and operate.

The full series is now available on the Flannery YouTube Channel/RESOURCE PAGE ON FLANNERY. 

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