Last Friday marked a significant milestone in the field of highways maintenance as industry leaders, apprentices, and stakeholders gathered at the Highways Maintenance Academy Launch Event. The event, hosted in collaboration between Salford City College and LCRIG, aimed not only to launch the Academy but also to spotlight the critical role it plays in bridging the skills gap within the highways sector. With an agenda filled with insightful speeches, interactive demonstrations, and networking opportunities, the day served as a testament to the commitment towards fostering talent and innovation in the field of highways maintenance.
The Highways Maintenance Academy Launch Event was not just a celebration of everything which has been achieved to date; it was an opportunity for supply chain organisations to witness first-hand the impact of their contributions. The event commenced with a networking session over tea and coffee, setting the stage for engaging discussions and connections. Opening speeches delivered by Allan Milne, Paul Healey, and Kerry Winstanley highlighted the significance of the occasion, emphasising the collaborative efforts driving the Academy’s mission forward.
The highlight of the day was the ribbon-cutting, symbolising the official launch of the Academy, followed by live demonstrations from Instarmac, Meon, Rennicks, and Marwood Group, providing apprentices and attendees with valuable insights into the latest techniques and innovations in highways maintenance.
Reflecting on the day, Keely from LCRIG said, “It’s crazy to think that a year ago this area was wasteland not used by the college. Now it’s a dedicated area for the Highways Maintenance Operative apprentices to learn and develop. It also gives the Highways sector an identity and it can showcase the different opportunities the Highway Sector can offer as a career.”
Expressing her gratitude towards the collaborative efforts that brought the Academy to fruition, Keely added, “I’d like to thank Salford City College Group, Allan Milne, Greg Derbyshire, Simon Heyes, Louise Jones, Paul Healey, all the apprentices and everyone else for making this possible. I’d also like to thank Instarmac Group, Meon, Rennicks and Marwood Group for taking the time to demonstrate their products today. This is a vital step in the right direction to address the skills shortage in the highways sector and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Allan from Salford City College echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the importance of industry-academic partnerships in addressing talent shortages and creating pathways for young professionals. He said, “I’m super proud of colleagues across Salford City College Group. It is vital that we work with industry more than ever, to create opportunities for young people and help fill huge talent supply shortages.”
As the Academy continues to nurture the next generation of highways maintenance operatives, the journey towards a more skilled and sustainable highways workforce has well and truly begun.
At LCRIG, we are committed to helping address the skills gap in our sector and so we take immense pride in being able to support apprentices starting their careers in highways. If you would like to be involved in the next cohort of apprentices, please get in touch.
Photos from the day:
