HSC calls for better collaboration across the sector to make ‘Highways a career of choice’

Earlier this year, a survey was launched by the Highways Sector Council (HSC) Future Leaders Group to help understand how to make highways a career of choice. The survey aim was to better understand how the sector can continue to attract skilled candidates from all backgrounds, understand future skills required and retain its existing talent. Over 1,000 individuals responded from the public and private sector across the UK in both the strategic and local road networks, covering over 200 roles at every level.

Today the HSC has released the report and its findings:

Over two thirds of the respondents would recommend highways as a career of choice listing career opportunity, making a difference, problem solving and satisfaction of seeing your work as the top reasons for working in the sector.

  • 56% were male
  • 39% were female*
  • 47% joined mid-career

In addition, the report highlights:

  • There is a lack of awareness of careers available across the sector irrespective of which part of the sector people join or work in
  • There is a need to improve the collective brand image for highways
  • Cross transferability of skills across the sector and transport
  • A need to attract and retain diversity in all respects for skills today and for the future
  • A lack of awareness of what sector wide training is available to support our carbon and digital agenda

The survey brought the industry together as one and highlights that across local, central government or the private sector there is:

  • High satisfaction of working in highways - because it matters to people’s lives every day.
  • There is so much more to a career in highways than many have thought on entry
  • The sector– early career, mid-career, or career change – needs to unite to achieve our goals – societal, environmental, and economic.

Therefore, the HSC in partnership with others industry stakeholders is hosting several workshops across the UK for the wider industry to input into our plans and priorities. The workshops will range from CEO through to apprentice to make sure we canvas the views at every level across the sector. The workshops will commence in January 2023 and will span the country as we seek to engage our workforce in shaping highways as a career of choice.

To register to attend one of workshops, please click here

For more information about the Highways Sector Council (HSC) and to download the report click here

Anna Delvecchio, Founding Member of the HSC said: “I would like to thank everybody who participated in the survey and the future leader’s group for their continued contribution over the last 12 months. We now have a credible baseline to work with. We can absolutely deliver a campaign making highways a career of choice, but we need to work in greater collaboration as a sector with a stronger partnership between the public and private sector, our clients, and the Department for Transport to ensure our sector flourishes in growth and jobs.”

Elliot Shaw, National Highways Chief Customer and Strategy Officer said: “These survey results underline the importance of showcasing the opportunities that exist across our sector. Our people take huge satisfaction from knowing that the work they do matters to people’s lives day in day out, but we need to continue to grow and diversify our sector if we are to achieve our societal, environmental and economic goals. Greater collaboration will be integral to our success and the Highways Sector Council’s role will be crucial.”

Matthew Eglinton, Department for Transport Head of Highways Policy added: “The Department is supportive of HSC's 'Making Highways a Career of Choice' - drawing out the strengths and weaknesses of working in the highway sector is critical to establishing what needs to be done to encourage a younger, more diverse workforce. “The campaign to address the skills gap in the highways sector and raise the profile of highways to make it a ‘career of choice’ is well aligned with overall Government objectives in increasing skills across the country.”

Sue Percy, CIHT’s CEO and member of the HSC said: “I welcome this survey which highlights keys opportunities, as well as the challenges, for the sector to attract and retain a diverse and skilled workforce now and in the future. The findings build on work CIHT is also doing on skills, EDI and careers and I look forward to collaborating with the HSC and key partners to deliver highways as a career of choice”.


Highways Sector Council news

Highways Sector Council Presentation: Watch and download

Watch the presentation from Highways Sector Council members:

  • Ann Carruthers: Leicestershire County Council
  • Joe Incutti: Kier Group PLC

Listen as they provide an update on the HSC scope, history, priorities and structure.

Download and watch the presentation here


Highways Sector Council news

Sharing best practice in the UK | AIA Partners | Resource Links

More than 180 highway engineers from 90-plus local authorities across the UK participated in the Asphalt Industry Alliance’s (AIA)’s recent Sharing Best Practice event, which was held online and jointly organised by AIA partners Eurobitume UK and the Mineral Products Association.

The opening address was given by AIA Chair Rick Green, who explained that the programme had been split into two sessions - Build Back Better and The route to net zero asphalt – to provide an appropriate focus upon these two important issues.

 

Click here to access


Highways UK- HSC one year on : VIDEO

Highways Sector Council looks at its progress and the unexpected challenges of the last year.

People on webinar from HSC are:

Leon Daniels, Adam Green, James Haluch, Elliot Shaw and Anna Delvecchio

WATCH NOW

 

 


Highways Sector Council news

Local Highways Safe Operating Procedures | Resources

Download the latest guides  - Local Highways Safe Operating Procedures – Protecting Your Workforce Guidance Document

This guidance is based upon the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Site operating procedures Version 5 published on 4th July 2020 and has been adapted for the local highways sector where appropriate.

These are exceptional circumstances and the industry must always comply with the latest Government advice on Coronavirus (Covid-19).

These Local Highways Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) are based on Government guidance on Working safely during coronavirus (Covid-19) - Construction and other outdoor work; other restrictions and advice may apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

COVID19 - HSC Safe Operating Procedures Version 4

COVID19 - Safe Operating Procedures Version 3


Council Vacancies

Number of Vacancies: Multiple
Type: Both Private and Public Sector (see below for details)
Remuneration: Voluntary
Time Requirements: The council meets 4 times a year.  Because of circumstances arising from COVID-19 and work to get the council focus areas established. We have been meeting more frequently. Even when this has normalised there will still be frequent progress calls involving council members and voluntary work that will need to be undertaken as part of the Highways Sector Council programme of work (HSC)

Applications are now closed

The Highways Sector Council (HSC) is looking to fill a number of vacancies on its newly formed council. The Council is a partnership of both the private and public sector organisations covering both strategic and local roads.

The Council has been created to help transform delivery in the highways sector, using a unified voice and approach so the industry can work in greater partnership with central and local government. It aims to drive innovation across the sector to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits for business, communities and all road users.

What we are looking for:

  • Senior and respected industry leaders and/or high performers
  • Individuals who can commit their time to attend council meetings and lead (through appropriate resources) key pieces of work on behalf of the Highways Sector Council.
  • Be able to communicate with and represent the views of the wider industry.
  • Be able to demonstrate an ability to collaborate with the wider industry.
  • Open and collaborative behaviours
  • Bring a unique skill set/capability to the council
  • Demonstrate a strategic vision
  • Ability to think creatively

When applying, candidates should demonstrate evidence of skills/expertise/experience which they could bring to the role which may include:

  • Previous experience of being part of a board or part of sector wide groups.
  • An understanding of the key challenges and opportunities faced in the highways sector.
  • Ability to contribute and bring together a broad range of key stakeholders and the supply chain to deliver change.
  • The ability to inspire and develop others

The Roles

We are looking to fill a number of vacancies from both the private and public sector. Public sector nominations will be drawn from local highways authorities (county, unitary, metropolitan borough and London borough – one of which will have a DLO) and a representative from the sub-national transport bodies.

From the private sector, we are looking for SME and contractor/consultant senior nominations.

Any individuals applying will need to be a current senior employee of a local authority, DLO or equivalent. Any private sector individuals applying will need to be an employee of their said company.

The HSC is committed to promote, attract and support a diverse and inclusive sector to reflect the diverse communities that we serve. We wish to encourage diversity of thought and leadership on the Council through attracting candidates from all parts of the highways sector.

 


Applications are now closed


Highways Sector Council news

Protecting Your Workforce Guidance Document - Download

This guidance is based upon the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Site operating procedures Version 4 published on 18th May 2020 and has been adapted for the local highways sector where appropriate.

These are exceptional circumstances and the industry must always comply with the latest Government advice on Coronavirus (Covid-19).

These Local Highways Safe Operating Procedures (SOP) are based on Government guidance on Working safely during coronavirus (Covid-19) - Construction and other outdoor work; other restrictions and advice may apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Where workers enter people’s homes, they should follow the Government guidance on Working in Other People’s Homes.

The HSE is the relevant enforcing authority for occupational health and safety legislation and guidance to control public health risks in the construction sector. If a site is not consistently implementing the measures set out by the Government, it may be subject to enforcement action.


Download the full guidance document here

COVID19 - Safe Operating Procedures

Protecting our local highways workforce – Highways Sector Council issues new guidance for Local Roads

The recently formed Highways Sector Council (HSC) has published practical guidance for the local highways today.

The ‘COVID-19 Highways Safe Operating Procedures document’, developed by the HSC’s COVID-19 focus working group, is designed to address the specific issues faced by local highways maintenance workers against the backdrop of the coronavirus.

Although based upon the construction industry guidance created by the Construction Leadership Council, the HSC guidance goes further, and addresses specific challenges related to the local highways sector. In particular, it specifically considers operational highways activity at maintenance and improvements sites, as well as at highway depots.

It provides guidance on social distancing and avoiding close working, handwashing, cleaning, travel, site access, eating arrangements and procedures to follow if someone falls ill.

James Haluch, Managing Director for Amey, said: “Local highways maintenance and planned improvement work is providing a vital service keeping the country moving. We have to ensure that NHS staff and other key workers are able to continue delivering essential public services and that means ensuring hospitals and supermarkets are equipped with essential supplies.

“It is vital that sites are able to operate safely, to protect the workforce, the public and minimise the risk of the spread of infection. We have been working closely with the DfT to produce this guidance to provide consistency and ensure that health and safety isn’t compromised on site and in the depots that workforces operate from. If an activity cannot be done in line with current guidelines, it shouldn’t take place.”

Darryl Eyers, President of ADEPT, said: “It is critical that roads, footways and bridges continue to be repaired, that road gullies are emptied to avoid unnecessary flooding and that roadside grass is cut to maintain visibility so that those legitimately still using our local road networks can do so safely. That’s why those working in the highways sector are not just key workers – they are critical to the country as a whole.

During lockdown, local highways authorities across the country have been taking different approaches, with some reducing services to emergency and essential, whilst others have maintained business as usual whilst it has remained possible to do so. However, the sooner that reduced levels of service can return closer to business as usual, the quicker that the highways sector can recover as the threat of Covid-19 subsides.”

The Highways Sector Council has been created to help transform the highways sector, using a unified voice and approach to work in greater partnership with central and local government. It aims to drive innovation and investment across England to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits for business, communities and all road users.