A new qualification in Concrete Pavement and Construction Maintenance launches in January and will be open for enrolment from this month.
The BSc Honours course has been launched by National Highways and the University of Derby in a move to plug the predicted skills gap in delivering repairs and renewals of concrete roads.
As a part of the Road Investment Strategy, National Highways is spending £400m in the next three years to improve the quality of existing concrete roads across the country.
However, 60% of the current specialist concrete workforce is set to retire within 10 years, leaving a skills gap that the government-owned company said presents a risk to the successful delivery of these projects.
To fill this gap, the National Highways Concrete Roads Centre of Excellence has worked in partnership with the University of Derby to launch the two-year, part-time course, which specifically focuses on pavements and highways, and provides a pathway for those already studying related subjects to specialise or convert.
Mike Ambrose, technical lead at the Centre of Excellence, said: ‘The University of Derby and specifically the Centre for Mineral Products has a strong track record of delivering applied programmes for industry so are a natural partner for National Highways.
‘As the current specialist concrete workforce begin to see out their careers we’re excited to begin upskilling and working with the next generation of engineers. This employer-led programme, which is open to both National Highways and the supply chain staff, will help those people get on the pathway to becoming the future industry leaders.’
Mark Osbaldeston, head of the Centre for Mineral Products at the University of Derby, said: ‘The concrete roads programme is fundamental in ensuring the future success of our road networks, and this BSc Honours provision will help provide a continued supply of highly skilled individuals to the profession. Our team of academics have extensive experience within the mineral products sector and are very much looking forward to sharing their knowledge and practical expertise with the next generation of industry leaders.’
The course is the first industry-led course of its kind specialising in pavements and highways design and is aimed at a range of learners including those with foundation degrees, Level 5 apprenticeships and pavement engineering consultants and suppliers who want to extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject areas.
For more information about the course including how to enrol, visit: https://www.derby.ac.uk/mineral-products/concrete-pavements-construction-management-top-up/
