The highways sector continues to face significant workforce challenges, from skills shortages and an ageing workforce to increasing demand for technically skilled professionals. Developing the next generation has never been more important.
That’s why Salford City College Group is proud to work in partnership with LCRIG, local authorities and leading highways contractors to deliver apprenticeship programmes that are helping employers attract, develop and retain talented people across the sector.
Celebrating apprentice success
This year’s Department for Transport Special Recognition Apprentice Awards, presented during the LCRIG Innovation & Learning Festival, recognised two apprentices trained through Salford City College Group as winners in their categories.
Joshua Graham, employed by Argyle NW, was named Outstanding Achievement Level 2 Apprentice, while Brandon Jones, employed by Rochdale Borough Council, received the Outstanding Achievement Level 3 Apprentice Award. Both awards recognise apprentices who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, development and impact within the highways sector. Their success reflects not only their dedication but also the commitment of the employers who continue to invest in apprenticeships and workforce development.
These achievements build on the success of our Highways Maintenance Apprenticeship Academy, where the first cohort achieved a 100% apprenticeship achievement rate, demonstrating the quality of the training, employer partnerships and learner support that underpin the programme.
Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative Level 2 – Places available
Developed in collaboration with LCRIG, local authorities and employers including Bethell Group, Casey Group and A.E. Yates, the Highways Maintenance Apprenticeship Academy was created to meet the real needs of the industry.
The programme is delivered through a flexible block release model, allowing apprentices to spend focused periods in college before returning to the workplace to apply their learning on live projects.
Typically, apprentices attend college for one to two weeks, followed by five to six weeks in the workplace, providing an excellent balance between technical learning and practical experience while minimising disruption to employers.
Each apprentice benefits from:
- Specialist teaching from experienced tutors
- Dedicated one-to-one workplace support from a Trainer Assessor
- Regular reviews involving both employer and apprentice
- Ongoing pastoral and academic support throughout the programme
Places are now available for our October 2026 intake.
Supporting the whole highways workforce
Salford City College Group’s partnership with employers doesn’t stop at Level 2. For organisations looking to develop future engineers, technicians and supervisors, it also delivers successful higher-level apprenticeship programmes with new cohorts starting each year:
- Civil Engineering Technician – Level 3 (day release – one day per week)
- Civil Engineering Senior Technician – Level 4 (day release – one day per week)
- Construction Support Technician – Level 3 (day release)
- Construction Site Supervisor – Level 4 (day release)
These programmes enable employers to develop technical capability and future leadership while employees remain productive members of the workforce.
Funding and employer incentives
Apprenticeships continue to be one of the most cost-effective ways to develop skilled employees.
- Levy-paying employers can use their Apprenticeship Levy funds to cover training costs
- Non-levy employers recruiting apprentices aged under 25 can access fully funded training
- For apprentices aged 25 and over, non-levy employers contribute a 5% course fee just £450 towards the training cost of a Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative
Eligible employers may also benefit from:
- £1,000 for recruiting an apprentice aged 16–18
- A £2,000 recruitment grant for eligible apprentices aged 16–24 recruited within three months of the programme start date
- Exemption from National Insurance contributions for apprentices aged under 25
Find out more
Whether you’re looking to recruit your first apprentice, strengthen your highways maintenance team or develop future civil engineering professionals, Salford City College Group offers apprenticeship programmes designed in partnership with industry and delivered by experienced specialists.
October places for the Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship are now available.
To discuss your recruitment needs or reserve a place, contact the Salford City College Group Apprenticeships Team: apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk / 0161 631 5555