Our apprentices and apprenticeship program have been a key aspect of our business since day one and remains a top priority for us at CMB. With 10 of our 14 current directors having started off in the industry as apprentices, we do our best to invest in our workforce and live up to our train and retain policy.
We decided as of this year to set up the Rob Dattero Apprentice Of The Year Award. Rob sadly passed away in April of this year and was one of CMB’s longest serving employees, who was well known and respected among office and site staff. He dedicated a huge amount of his time and energy to this company – and more specifically, as CMB Labour Manager, our apprentices – who he worked with week in and week out.
On this note, on what would have today been Rob’s 64th birthday, we would like to announce and congratulate Jack Roberts as the first ever winner of the inaugural Rob Dattero CMB Apprentice Of The Year Award for 2023/24. Jack is a 4th Year Apprentice for CMB who joined us in 2021 and has showcased his value and progression during this time.
CMB prides itself on its continued dedication to nurture and bring through the next generation of talent into the industry and Jacks excellent attitude is a testament to this. The award winner was chosen based on a number of factors that include CMB’s quarterly apprentice reviews, our dedicated apprentice trainer reviews, site supervisor appraisals and peer group feedback. Competition was close for this year’s award but overall, Jack scored consistently high in all categories.
Jack commented on the award, saying: “It’s an honour to be the first name on the Roberto Dattero Award. I hope it’s the first of many awards with CMB, as I continue with the progression I’m making.”
Jason Oliver, Labour Supervisor, added: “Well done, Jack, on earning the Apprentice Of The Year Award in honour of Roberto Dattero – a remarkable achievement that reflects both your commitment and the lasting impact of his legacy.”
Pictured below presenting Jack with the award is Rob Borley (Project Director), Marcello Dattero (Training Coordinator and Rob’s brother), Jason Oliver (Labour Supervisor), and Neil Thomson (Operations Manager).
Marcello, who has served a remarkable 25 years’ service to CMB (the same as Rob), shared the following on the news of the annual award in memory of his brother:
“Where to start…as an apprentice, Rob was a recipient of a medal for welding - he was always proud of that without mentioning it. As CMB grew and apprentices were taken on, he became the Labour Supervisor and very supportive of the train and retain initiative. He realised, as did others, that there was a need to expand the skill level of those learning the trade, so he worked hard to establish a training scheme within CMB to this end.
I was amazed at the fact that he knew the names and backgrounds of every apprentice. He always encouraged and disciplined in equal measures to ensure they became good, if not great, trades personnel. Gender did not bother Rob – ability did.
We had many private discussions on the course and forward thinking for an academy and I was so pleased that he lived to see it flourish. There are many individuals who owe their jobs to him as he, even when it seemed a lost cause, would be on their side. He chose me as the last grasp chance for some and would send them to my site and together we would try to bring them on the right path. To this end, it was a great success.
I was very moved that I was asked to present the first ever Roberto Dattero Apprentice Of The Year Award to Jack Roberts and I am certain he would have been overjoyed in how he will be remembered. A true one off. Many who knew him will miss his sharp wit and professionalism, he was always there for others.”
CMB Project Director, Rob Borley, added: “We hope this award will grow and become a benchmark for excellence over the coming years, recognising the importance of apprentices for the future of our business and the industry.”
Congratulations again, Jack on winning this award and we wish you the best of luck with your career progression at CMB Engineering.
