As the nomination deadline for the Highways Champions Awards draws ever closer, Highways takes a moment to reflect on some of the obstacles facing those at the start of their careers.
As a part of the upcoming awards, Highways has launched the NextGen Board, comprised of passionate young professionals dedicated to representing the needs, perspectives and ambitions of emerging talent across the highways industry.
With the board focused on working towards removing barriers to entry for young professionals, growing young talent and shaping the future of the industry, the first meeting took a look at what the barriers actually are for the next generation of highways staff.
One challenge that was raised immediately was a 'lack of awareness of the opportunities', with multiple board members stating that the sector isn't discussed in conversations around career options, meaning that young people are simply unaware that it's even a career that is available to them.
Another issue was staff retention and helping people grow from being graduate or apprentice starters into moving up the ranks. The NextGen Board highlighted that some young people had left the industry to start afresh where they felt they had more chance to secure senior roles and titles and not be tagged as a 'graduate', for instance, long past its sell-by date.
This is where the Highways Champions Awards can help, because it is focused on rewarding individual talent and making sure colleagues get the recognition they deserve.
Taking place on 4 November in London, the awards feature seven categories – including the Rising Star medals, which recognises outstanding individual performance from people who are new into the sector – that are putting a spotlight on the champions on the frontlines of the sector and ensuring that no hero goes unsung.
If you are interested in nominating someone you feel is a Highways Champion, you can do so here before 30 June.
