A trial scheme aimed at providing young people with the skills to launch a highways career has proved so successful that it will be rolled out further next year.
The scheme, which was launched by Surrey County Council and its highways contractor Kier, has seen all six who took part this year invited to apply for apprenticeships or jobs.
Among those successfully completing the course, which included training on machinery and team building exercises, were people classed as NEET – not in employment, education or training – and others with a learning disability or at risk of committing crime.
Their efforts at Brooklands Museum were so impressive that they have been encouraged to apply for roles with Kier, one of its suppliers or Surrey CC.
The initiative is part of their approach to addressing a skills shortage that also includes plans to train their own workforce.
They now plan to consider ways to build on the scheme and then roll it out from early spring next year.
In the video below, teenager Alfie Williams, who lives near Egham, explains why he participated:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFS_e2sm3r8
Don't forget to check out the Apprenticeship/skills zone at next week's Highways SIB (Seeing is Believing) event, which offers local students the chance to come along and find out about all the exciting opportunities that the sector has to offer.
The zone is formed of the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).
The IHE will highlight its National Highway Engineering Academy (NHEA) – a virtual academy that will focus on providing engineers and technicians with the skill set and expertise that is vitally needed by the highways industry. The CIHT will use the event as an opportunity to highlight its apprentice membership grade.
Find out more about next month’s Highways SIB (Seeing is Believing) at www.sib.uk.net or register for FREE here.
