New academy to train highway apprentices

Roads Minister John Hayes officially opened a new new academy to train apprentices to work on the £1.5 billion A14 bypass this week.

129 new apprentices and graduates will be trained by the Highways Academy to work on the £1.5Bn A14 bypass, which is Britain’s biggest road upgrade.

Highways England investment and the courses will provide road construction and maintenance training that will help deliver not only the A14, but also support the government’s future road investment across the country.

Mr Hayes said: “The A14 bypass is a massive road upgrade, a vital road for Cambridgeshire, and will drastically improve journeys, making them quicker, safer and more reliable for motorists.

“We are spending a record £15Bn on improving our roads and it is only right this not only benefits motorists, but also provides people with jobs and skills they need for the future. These apprentices are helping build the largest road upgrade in Britain, they can be justly proud.”

The Academy is run by Huntingdon-based West Anglia Training Association (WATA), and has been developed in collaboration with various partners including Highways England’s A14 team and Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership.

Interim Chief Executive for WATA, Jackie Hall, commented: “The Highways Academy provides a unique combination of a realistic highway environment supported by dedicated workshop and classroom facilities to help individuals gain the practical skills and qualifications to support growing demand for employees across the regional and beyond.

“WATA is working with employers, schools, colleges and partners to ensure we all work together to deliver this key highways project to support economic growth.”

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