Last week was a fantastic one for the sector, marked by the incredible LCRIG Innovation and Learning Festival. While I’ll be covering the full highlights from that event in our 10th July edition of Insight, I couldn’t wait to share a special moment from the week: our very first DfT Special Recognition Awards for Apprentices!
Supporting the next generation of our sector has always been close to our hearts. Whether it’s through partnerships with Salford City College and Manchester Authorities, our Apprentice Task Group, or fully funded places at this year’s Festival – we’re committed. And now, we’ve taken that commitment a step further by launching an awards evening solely dedicated to recognising apprentices at all levels.
As is often the way with LCRIG, it all began with a simple thought:
“Wouldn’t it be great if we extended the DfT Recognition Awards, so highly regarded at Strictly, to the festival and used it to celebrate Apprentices?”
Well, ideas at LCRIG don’t stay ideas for long! And so, on 2nd July 2025, the first-ever DfT Special Recognition Apprentice Awards took centre stage. The evening belonged to the apprentices, and what a night it was!
We were blown away by the sector’s response. Huge thanks to our sponsors; WJ, SPL, JCB, SRL, Velocity, and Multevo – for stepping forward so enthusiastically. Their support is a clear reflection of just how invested the sector is in its future talent.
Our stellar panel of judges – Keely and Kerry (LCRIG), Darren Capes (Head of Road Infrastructure Technology, DfT), Dr Jo White (Director Engineering, National Highways), Paul Hutton (Highways News), and Dwayne Lowe (Deputy Director of Place at Bolton Council) had a tough job on their hands. One judge told me:
“I’ve never seen so many inspiring applications – this really bodes well for the future of our industry.”
Sitting at the back of the packed room with the LCRIG team, we were nervously hopeful that the evening would resonate. And once the first cheers, whoops, and applause rang out for our Winners and Highly Commended apprentices, we knew we were onto something special. In true LCRIG style, we’re already planning changes for next year.
The pride from each organisation was unmistakable, it filled the room. If we could have bottled that energy, we could have powered a city for days! Every certificate proudly bore the DfT signature from Darren Capes, and our Winner certificates were personally signed by the Future Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood. It’s a small gesture that we hope will make a big impact.
Throughout the two days, I had the pleasure of meeting so many apprentices – winners, nominees, and first-time festival attendees alike. Their ideas, passion, and maturity were inspiring. It reminded me again why we do what we do. And it reaffirmed our drive at LCRIG to turn even more great ideas into action.
You can read about some of the brilliant award entries here, and don’t miss this Thursday’s Insight for a full round-up of the week’s events!
Paula Claytonsmith
CEO, LCRIG