A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme

October 2018

We’re incredibly proud of our work and the role that we play in building the UK’s major roads. To share our passion for construction, we’re working with local communities to pass on our expertise and knowledge by encourgaging young people to consider construction and engineering as an exciting career choice, and by helping unemployed people into construction jobs.

We also want to leave a positive legacy in the local area, and this includes the development of a future workforce that one day could be part of delivering major projects like the A14 and helping to look after our road network.

So, we’ve been working with local schools, colleges and career professionals to provide access to the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon project team so they can learn more about how major construction and engineering projects like this are delivered, as well as find out what skills are needed to deliver them.

This newsletter highlights some of the great work we have been doing and how this work has helped a variety of people.

Helping to build careers in the local community

Communities and construction - creating a legacy

Adam was often either unemployed or in low paid work. After attending our Pathways programme, Adam was offered an apprenticeship and is now working as a plant operator for Blackwells, one of our supply chain partners.

Adam says “This has been an incredibly positive experience for me and has completely transformed my life. I am now on a positive career path, doing something I enjoy.”

Which subjects did you study at school?

10 GCSE’s at Melbourn Village College including physics, geography, maths, statistics and English. I then studied for a BTEC in Applied Science at UTC Cambridge.

How did you get an apprenticeship on the A14?

I live quite close to the project and thought it would be a great opportunity for me. I started applying for apprenticeships and contacted Costain (one of the A14 project partners). I got two offers, so here I am!

Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others?

Apprenticeships are a no-brainer for me, because you’re working and learning at the same time, meaning you’re not getting into debt. I’m enjoying learning about the construction industry.

Case studies

How we helped Adam achieve an apprenticeship

Meet Elio, Apprentice Planner

Sharing our passion and pride - creating a team of ambassadorsSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) are core skills for a career in civil engineering, which could lead to work on major construction projects such as the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme.

Our civil engineers, quantity surveyors, planners, administrators, buyers and other members of the team are talking to young people about the huge variety of jobs and opportunities available to them by:

� delivering careers fairs and sharing information with more than 30 local schools

� offering individual mentoring and career advice including practice interviews

� sharing information with teachers to help them provide guidance to their students

� running practical workshops to motivate and inspire young people to study STEM subjects

More than 80 of our team members are ‘STEM ambassadors’ in the local community, giving one-to-one support to young people and workshops to demonstrate the breadth of jobs in our sector.

Our Pathways programme provides a direct route into employment for local unemployed people. The two-week course offers training which includes a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card, allowing unemployed people to work on our construction site in areas such as archaeology and earthworks (as plant operators). When the course is successfully completed, they’re guaranteed a job interview. Some trainees have completed their training on a Friday and started their new job on a Monday.

Earlier this year we hosted nearly 40 primary school children and the Home Education Network as part of the Cambridge Launchpad, an initiative led by local science and technology companies keen to inspire young people to consider careers in one of the STEM subjects.

Children spent the day getting stuck in to the various aspects of construction by taking part in fun tasks based on archaeology, ecology, surveying, materials testing and traffic management.

Supporting primary school children

Pathways to employment training

“It was great to see the children so excited by the activities, I’m pretty sure we have inspired a few young people to consider a career in construction when they grow up!”

Gerard Smith,

Highways England A14 Legacy Lead

To date more than 20 unemployed people who’ve gone through our Pathway programme have started work on the A14, and many more have gained employment elsewhere.

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The team recently won an award recognising the work being done to encourage young people to join the construction industry.

We’ve designed a series of work experience programmes involving practical experience on site.

We’ve offered this work experience to students from 15 years of age, to help them understand what the sector has to offer. They’ve experienced site visits, materials testing with experts in the lab, and met engineers, designers and quantity surveyors.

To date we’ve offered this opportunity to over 50 young people from the local community. On the final day, students get to present a summary of their experience and lessons learnt on the project to the senior leadership team.

Look out for future opportunities on our website and social media channels, or email us at recruitment@theA14.com

“I would recommend this programme to others studying engineering at school; it really opens your eyes as to how many different roles there are.”Baille, aged 15 from St Peter’s School

“The teams produced interesting activities for us, and after the two-week work experience I knew I wanted to work in civil engineering.”

Lewis, aged 15 from Swavesey Village College

Work experience programme