Nescot and Ringway partnership provide Highway Maintenance training programme

Nescot students from various curriculum areas benefitted from an interactive day on campus this week (24.04.24) with construction professionals from Ringway Infrastructure Services, Surrey’s leading highway maintenance contractor. They had the chance to find out more about the new Construction Skills for Highway Maintenance courses being delivered by the college with Ringway and supply chain partner Eurovia Surfacing.

Students had the opportunity to try out electric hand tools that included a fully electric steel saw used for cutting slabs and tarmac (minus the blade); use specialised equipment to lay a paving slab and even explore some of the highway vehicles: an Accident and Emergency vehicle, a Roller and a Low Loader used for transporting highway kit.

Slavina Kalendzhieva, Head of Foundation Learning at Nescot said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Ringway and Eurovia to deliver these courses which create lots of opportunities for our students. The courses offer clear pathways from education to vocational, employment and apprenticeship opportunities and will help students develop skillsets for next steps after college.

“The opportunity to meet with industry professionals has also given our students an insight into the varied opportunities available in the highway sector.”

Carolyn Jay, Community and Place Manager at Ringway said, “We are really excited to be working with Nescot. The accredited construction curriculum courses offer masterclasses by Ringway and Eurovia. Students will have the opportunity to interview for a job or apprenticeship with Ringway, Eurovia and supply chain partners following course completion.

“The college has been so excellent and responsive to us being on campus to demonstrate to students the wide range of work opportunities in the highways industry which needs young people. We want to showcase how accessible it is to work in this sector.”

Carolyn added, “Elements of carbon literacy will also be part of the curriculum for students on the course. Ringway’s services are managed and delivered to minimise environmental impact and increasingly much of the equipment used is electric rather than diesel.”

Students Kaymar and Jamil tried out laying a paving slab. They both said that they found the demonstrations fun and interesting and enjoyed the experience.

Bricklaying student Jack who enjoyed exploring the Roller vehicle said, “It’s been a fantastic experience finding out what is involved with working on the roads and the various equipment used. It is great that these courses are being offered, they sound very interesting and I think they will enhance my learning.”

Michael, Harley and Perry, agreed that the whole experience was really good and useful to learn something new. They said that it gave them a chance to think about future opportunities.

The one-year Level 1 and Entry Level Construction Skills for Highway Maintenance courses develop skills in construction, employability and digital with a focus on highway maintenance. They are designed to provide a pathway to the Ringway Highways Maintenance/Groundworks Apprenticeship, or a similar apprenticeship with Eurovia or other supply chain partner. Certified by the Gateway examining body, the Building and Construction specification is delivered with input from Ringway and Eurovia staff with live briefs/industry projects, masterclasses and enrichment activities.

Ringway manage and maintain the largest portfolio of highways service contracts in the UK, covering over 43,000km of strategic and local highway network on behalf of National Highways, Transport for London, and local authorities.