Five apprentices have been welcomed into their new roles across Amey’s Area 10 contract, as Highways Maintenance Operatives. This level 2 apprenticeship programme is being offered by SB Skills Solutions and provides both practical and theoretical training, covering all aspects of highways maintenance.
Account Director on the Amey, Area 10 contract, Lucy Fell said: “We want to invest in the future generation and recruiting young apprentices is a great opportunity for local, young people to develop their careers, whilst receiving the training, qualifications and getting paid along the way.
“Our highways operatives currently on the road network will play a valuable role in sharing their wealth of knowledge and skills with the apprentices. These young recruits will also bring fresh ideas to the service we offer across the strategic road network.
“We plan to continue recruiting apprentices over the next 12 years of the contract, helping to create a highly skilled workforce across the highways sector. I wish all the apprentices the best of luck on the programme.”
New apprentice, Peter Milliken adds: “I applied for the apprenticeship role because I was looking for a job for life in an exciting and growing industry. So far, I have enjoyed travelling to different depots, seeing the network and meeting as many people as possible in all different roles.
“The benefits for me are the amount of investment that is put into my career in terms of the training and skills that I will gain as well as going to college and receiving my level 2 qualification. I will also benefit as an apprentice by learning skills from more experienced Highways Maintenance Operatives.”
Head of Apprenticeships at SB Skills Solutions, John Daley adds: “SB skills solutions is a nationally recognised construction training/apprenticeship and continual development provision. Generations of the Beaumont family have provided the foundations of knowledge, skills support and opportunity across a diverse society. We are delighted to expand our apprenticeship specialism in ground, plant and highways maintenance to mirror Amey’s ambition to empower individuals with new valuable skills and employment opportunities that can contribute to a thriving workforce, particularly through the challenges of the pandemic.”
As part of the apprenticeship programme, the apprentices will gain insight into how the whole contract functions during their induction, understanding all health and safety aspects of the role, as well as working with quality, fleet, planning, commercial and business support. The apprentices will also cover the main operational areas of their role, including highways repair works and traffic management control.
This announcement comes after the Area 12 contract, that covers Yorkshire and Humberside, recently welcomed three apprentice’s, James Gill, Sam Stephenson and Josh Hinchliffe to the team.
