Now in its fourth year, the LCRIG Innovation & Learning Festival returns on 2-3 July 2025 at NAEC Stoneleigh, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from the highways and transport technology sector. This year, for the first time, the festival will place a special spotlight on apprentices, introducing new initiatives designed to support, engage, and celebrate young professionals as they begin their careers.
Empowering Future Leaders
With the industry facing a significant skills gap, LCRIG is committed to developing new talent and providing meaningful opportunities for apprentices. To support this mission, the festival will offer fully funded places for apprentices from both the public and private sectors, allowing them to attend alongside their managers or mentors. This initiative will ensure that emerging professionals gain valuable industry exposure and learning opportunities at the event.
What Apprentices Can Expect at the Festival
The LCRIG Innovation & Learning Festival will provide an immersive learning environment featuring:
CPD-Certified Training Sessions – A packed programme of CPD-accredited technical training sessions, offering apprentices insights into cutting-edge advancements. Topics from 2024 included AI, connected vehicles, geosynthetics, and UAV drone mapping – and 2025 promises even more exciting sessions!
Live Demonstrations – Attendees will have the chance to witness innovation in action through live demos, highlighting the latest advancements in highways maintenance and transport technology.
Exclusive Workshops and Networking – Developing a strong professional network can greatly enhance career progression. The festival will feature dedicated workshops, networking sessions, and discussion panels, connecting apprentices with key figures fromlocal authorities and the private sector.
DfT Special Recognition Apprentice Awards
New for 2025, LCRIG is expanding the Department for Transport (DfT) Special Recognition Awards by launching the DfT Special Recognition Apprentice Awards, celebrating the achievements of apprentices making an impact in the industry.
The awards ceremony will take place on 2nd July, ahead of the evening networking event – providing a fantastic opportunity to celebrate emerging talent in the sector.
Inspiring the Future: Competition for Young Innovators
To engage young talent, LCRIG is launching a new competition: Inspiring the Future: Attracting Young People to the Highways and Transport Technology Sector. The highways and transport technology sector plays a crucial role in shaping sustainable, efficient, and connected infrastructure. However, many young people remain unaware of the career opportunities available. This competition aims to uncover creative ideas that will attract and inspire the next generation of industry professionals. The winning entry will receive £1,000, sector-wide recognition, and a place on the LCRIG Apprenticeship Task Group.
LCRIG’s Commitment to Skills Development
Keely Metcalfe, Relationship Manager at LCRIG and Chair of the LCRIG Apprenticeship Task Group, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to addressing the industry’s skills shortage: “Skills is one of LCRIG’s four key pillars, and we are thrilled to introduce initiatives that celebrate and develop young talent within the sector. By supporting apprentices and sharing insights through our events, we aim to address the skills gap and inspire the next generation of highways professionals.”
Get Involved
The LCRIG Innovation & Learning Festival 2025 is set to be an unmissable event for apprentices, industry leaders, and professionals looking to drive innovation, share knowledge, and shape the future of the sector.
With fully funded places available and spaces filling up fast, now is the time to secure your spot. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of a festival that’s shaping the future of highways and transport technology.
For more details on participation, awards, or the competition, visit the Innovation & Learning Festival website.
