This week, the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) has been celebrating National Apprenticeship week. The theme of this yea’s event is ‘Skills for Life’ and to mark this, LCRIG has been highlighting the work that it is doing around skills and apprenticeships in the highways sector. The event, which runs from 05 – 11 February, is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the positive impact they make.
Here’s a round up of this week’s festivities so far:
On Monday we shone a spotlight on the Highway Maintenance Academy apprenticeship programme, which has been created in collaboration with Salford City College Group (SCCG), Salford City Council (SCC) and LCRIG. We proudly shared Salford City College Group’s latest Achieve magazine which features an article on the Highways Maintenance Skills Academy apprenticeship programme. The specialist apprenticeship programme has been created in partnership with SCCG and SCC, and is meticulously designed to address the distinct demands of a Highways Operative working on the local road network.
Through collaboration with SCCG, SCC and contributions of time or equipment donated from organisations within the sector, we have also created a dedicated outdoor facility within the academy. This purpose-built area serves as a valuable resource for students, providing the necessary support for their apprenticeship journey and enabling them to fulfil the practical elements of their course.
Check out pages 8-9 of the magazine to read the article here.
We shared our Skills in Highways report on Tuesday, which contains insights and actionable steps to address the skills shortage facing the highway sector. Apprenticeship schemes and graduate programmes were highlighted by local authority survey participants as effective avenues to attract fresh talent into the highways industry. You can download the report here.
On Wednesday we posted a video on our social channels of Allan Milne, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Salford City College Group. Allan spoke to delegates at Strictly Highways 2023 about the collaboration with LCRIG to create the Highway Maintenance Academy apprenticeship programme. Discover the longer-term vision for the apprenticeship programme and learn how employers can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of skilled talent in the highways sector, by watching Allan’s video here.
T-Level Thursday saw us shine a light on this alternative educational pathway. T-Levels are a 2-year, level 3 qualification offering students an alternative to A Levels, and other post-16 courses. With T-Levels, students typically spend 80% of their time in the classroom and the remaining 20% on a 45-day placement with an employer. This unique blend allows them to gain valuable hands-on experience while continuing their studies. Students get the opportunity to develop in their chosen field, develop practical skills, and kickstart their journey towards a successful career!
Tomorrow (09 February) is celebration Friday and so make sure to stay tuned to our channels as we continue the festivities and celebrate some remarkable apprentices!
Logo source: NAW