This year has passed by in a whirlwind and I can’t believe that we are already at the last edition of LCRIG Insights for the year. As we start to wind down for the Christmas break, it’s been a great opportunity to reflect on 2023 and in particular on one of our four core pillars: Skills.
The launch of LCRIG Skills in 2022 gave us a platform to increase our activity around Skills, and to do what LCRIG does best; bring the highways community together to share and support initiatives that are taking place.
I’ve spoken many times this year about the Highways Maintenance Academy at Salford City College, which was achieved through the sector coming together, donating the time, equipment and materials that were needed to create the academy. We are extremely proud that the first 10 students have started their apprenticeship and there is now an outstanding provision for the sector that will help attract and develop a future pipeline of skilled operatives. You can read more about this in our Annual Report that has been published today.
Throughout the year, I’ve spoken with many different people and organisations who are all doing brilliant things to address the skills shortage in the sector. And for me, sharing these experiences at our Innovation Festival and Strictly Highways events has been one of my highlights. I’ve loved hearing from two panels of apprentices and getting their perspective on what attracted them to the sector, and what more we can do to attract and retain young people. A big thank you to Charlie Dunkerley, Harry Jezzard, Jake Rankin, Stephanie Fox and Joseph Aindow for sharing their experiences with everyone.
At Strictly Highways, we also had the opportunity to hear from Bolton Council, Galliford Try, Kiely Group and Kier about the inspiring initiatives they have implemented that not only address the skills gap, but also support local communities and disadvantaged people by providing employment opportunities.
These conversations inspired us to introduce two new awards at the DfT Special Recognition Awards evening. Highways Apprentice of the Year and Employer Initiative of the Year were created to recognise outstanding apprentices who have had a positive impact on their course, their workplace or the wider highways sector, and employers who have introduced initiatives that support the retention of employees, encouraged new employees into the sector or supported employment opportunities within local communities. The awards submissions were of an extremely high level with outstanding achievements being made by the organisations and apprentices who were nominated for awards. Another huge congratulations to the winners:
Apprentice of the Year: Macy Richards, Milestone Infrastructure
Employer Initiative of the Year: Kier, for their Making Ground Initiative.
In 2024 we will continue to build on our skills initiatives and have been looking at where we can collaborate with others. We’ll also be introducing a learning element to our re-named Innovation and Learning Festival, and we will of course continue to support the Highways Maintenance Academy at Salford. Look out for more details in the New Year.
2023 has been my third year as a member of Team LCRIG, and I can honestly say that each year just keeps getting better and better. Thank you to all our members, organisations and LCRIG friends who continue to support us in our goal to encourage collaboration and innovation in the sector.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for a prosperous 2024.
Kerry Winstanley, Finance and Operations Director