Heidelberg Materials Backs Kenson Highways’ ROAD Programme in East London

Key Points

• Heidelberg Materials is supporting a new training facility developed by Kenson Highways in partnership with New City College in East London to equip the next generation of road workers with essential skills for building and maintaining the highway network.
• The collaboration represents one of the first of its kind in the UK, with Kenson Highways investing in college facilities to deliver a bespoke highways apprenticeship programme called the Recruitment and Onboarding for Apprentices in Development (ROAD) programme.
• The ROAD programme is an employer-led, industry-recognised training course specifically designed for highways maintenance, offered free of charge, combining classroom learning with hands-on experience to bridge the gap between education and employment.
• Heidelberg Materials has donated more than 200 tonnes of asphalt from its Dagenham plant to construct a realistic road as part of the new street works training facility at New City College’s Rainham Construction and Engineering Campus in the London Borough of Havering.
• Upon completing the six-week course, learners will obtain the City & Guilds Street Works Operative qualification and receive a guaranteed interview with a local employer.
• The training facilities include footways, carriageways, streetlighting, and utilities, where apprentices learn practical skills such as excavation and reinstatement of highways.
• Paul O’Neill, asphalt regional director at Heidelberg Materials UK, described the initiative as a fantastic opportunity that opens clear pathways into employment, particularly for candidates facing barriers to work, while building a reliable pipeline of skilled workers and supporting social value commitments.
• Jonathan Yabsley, Director at Kenson Highways, expressed pride in investing directly in college training facilities to shape the next generation of skilled operatives, create genuine employment pathways, and raise industry standards.
• Colleen Marshall, Principal at New City College Rainham, highlighted the partnership as a powerful example of education and industry collaboration to address workforce challenges, emphasising Kenson Highways’ investment as a commitment to opportunities, sustainable jobs, and a skilled London workforce.

Heidelberg Materials backs pioneering highways training initiative in East London

Heidelberg Materials has partnered with Kenson Highways and New City College to launch a groundbreaking training facility aimed at developing vital skills for the UK’s highways sector. This collaboration, reported extensively across industry outlets, marks one of the first employer-led investments of its kind in college infrastructure to deliver specialised apprenticeships. The initiative addresses a critical skills shortage by providing hands-on training that directly links education to employment opportunities.

The focal point is the Recruitment and Onboarding for Apprentices in Development (ROAD) programme, a free six-week course tailored for highways maintenance. Learners gain the City & Guilds Street Works Operative qualification upon completion, along with a guaranteed interview with a local employer. Heidelberg Materials contributed over 200 tonnes of asphalt from its Dagenham plant to build a realistic road at the Rainham Construction and Engineering Campus in the London Borough of Havering.

What is the ROAD programme and how does it work?

The ROAD programme combines classroom instruction with practical, on-site experience to prepare participants for real-world highways roles. As detailed in coverage from Highways News, it targets a range of candidates, including those facing employment barriers, to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers.

Facilities at the centre replicate actual street environments, featuring footways, carriageways, streetlighting, and utilities. Apprentices practise essential techniques such as excavation and reinstatement of highways, ensuring they meet industry standards from day one.

This employer-led model, spearheaded by Kenson Highways, sets a precedent for future collaborations between industry and education providers.

Why did Heidelberg Materials donate asphalt to the project?

Heidelberg Materials’ donation of more than 200 tonnes of asphalt from its Dagenham plant enabled the construction of an authentic training road at New City College’s Rainham campus. This practical element underscores the company’s commitment to fostering talent in construction.

As reported by Paul O’Neill, asphalt regional director at Heidelberg Materials UK,

“This is a fantastic initiative that opens up a clear pathway into employment in the highways sector for a range of candidates, including those facing barriers to work.”

He further noted,

“It will help build the reliable pipeline of skilled workers our industry so desperately needs and supports our aim of encouraging more young people to consider a career in the construction industry as well as our commitment to delivering social value.”

The contribution aligns with broader efforts to enhance social value through skills development in East London.

How is Kenson Highways investing in the training facilities?

Kenson Highways has directly funded upgrades to college facilities, creating a bespoke environment for highways apprenticeships. This investment, as covered in Highways News, positions the firm as a leader in employer-driven training.

Jonathan Yabsley, Director at Kenson Highways, stated,

“We’re proud to be investing directly in college training facilities for the highways sector. This employer-led collaboration will help shape the next generation of skilled operatives, creating genuine employment pathways and raising standards across our industry.”

The partnership with New City College exemplifies how private investment can elevate vocational training standards.

What role does New City College play in this collaboration?

New City College hosts the programme at its Rainham Construction and Engineering Campus in Havering, providing the educational framework and infrastructure. The college’s involvement bridges academic learning with industry needs.

Colleen Marshall, Principal at New City College Rainham, remarked,

“This partnership is a powerful example of how education and industry can work together to solve real workforce challenges. Kenson Highways’ investment represents more than new equipment, it’s a shared commitment to creating opportunities, supporting local people into sustainable jobs, and ensuring London has the skilled workforce it needs.”

Her comments highlight the college’s dedication to local employment and regional development.

What skills will apprentices gain from the programme?

Participants acquire practical expertise in street works, including handling footways, carriageways, streetlighting, and utilities. The hands-on road built with Heidelberg’s asphalt allows for realistic simulations of excavation and reinstatement tasks.

The City & Guilds qualification ensures graduates are industry-ready, with direct pathways to jobs via guaranteed interviews.

This focus on core competencies addresses immediate sector demands while building long-term resilience.

Why is this collaboration significant for the UK highways sector?

As one of the UK’s first such partnerships, the initiative tackles chronic skills shortages in highways maintenance. It promotes inclusivity by targeting diverse candidates and delivers measurable social value.

Industry voices emphasise its potential to inspire similar models nationwide, enhancing workforce reliability.

The programme’s free access removes financial barriers, broadening talent pools.

How does this initiative support social value in construction?

Heidelberg Materials views the project as integral to its social value goals, encouraging youth entry into construction. Paul O’Neill’s statements underscore its role in supporting underrepresented groups.

Kenson Highways and New City College echo this, framing it as a model for sustainable job creation.

Local impact in Havering and East London amplifies community benefits.

What are the outcomes for programme completers?

Graduates earn a recognised City & Guilds qualification and secure employer interviews, facilitating swift employment transitions. The six-week duration ensures rapid upskilling.

Success metrics include raised industry standards and a steady supply of qualified operatives.

This structured pathway minimises the education-employment gap.

Who are the key partners and their contributions?

• Heidelberg Materials: Donated 200+ tonnes of asphalt; provides industry endorsement.
• Kenson Highways: Led investment in facilities; designed the ROAD programme.
• New City College: Hosts at Rainham campus; delivers educational components.

Their combined efforts create a holistic training ecosystem.

What challenges does the highways sector face that this addresses?

The sector grapples with skills shortages and ageing workforces, as implied by partners’ comments on needing reliable pipelines. The programme counters this through targeted, practical training.

It raises standards via employer-led standards and inclusivity.

Future scalability could transform recruitment nationwide.