A new highways training academy has been launched in Oxfordshire to support skills development in the roads sector while helping armed forces leavers and veterans transition into civilian employment.
The Building Heroes Highways Training Academy, sponsored by Oxfordshire County Council’s principal highways contractor M Group and delivered by military charity Building Heroes, is designed to address skills shortages in the highways industry while supporting workforce entry for service leavers.
The four-week training programme will provide participants with industry-recognised qualifications and practical experience relevant to highways maintenance and operations.
Service leavers and veterans taking part will have the opportunity to gain New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA or Streetworks) certification and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) accreditation.
Training will also cover traffic management and emergency first aid, alongside hands-on instruction delivered by industrial training provider C&G Services.
Each cohort will consist of around eight participants, with those completing the programme offered guaranteed interview opportunities with M Group Highways, creating a direct pathway into employment within the sector.
The academy aims to help address long-standing skills and labour shortages across the highways industry, particularly as local authorities and contractors face growing demands to maintain and upgrade road networks.
Employer-backed routes into construction employment
Richard Lovewell, M Group Highways’ Business Director, said the programme reflects the contractor’s approach to workforce development.
“M Group is very proud to be sponsoring the Building Heroes Highways Academy, we recognise the enormous potential of armed forces leavers and want to support them as they build meaningful civilian careers.
Through this ongoing partnership and investment we hope the participants see the value and opportunities that M Group can offer as we develop the vital skills required to maintain our highways.”
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M Group is an Armed Forces Covenant Gold employer and is supporting the programme through funding and employer engagement.
Supporting skills transition into the built environment
Building Heroes Education Foundation said the academy aligns with its wider mission to support armed forces communities into construction and built environment careers.
Chris Charles, Building Heroes Education Foundation Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased to be opening the Building Heroes Training Academy in partnership with M Group and C&G Services. Supporting members of the Armed Forces community into meaningful civilian employment is central to our charitable purpose.
This Academy will equip learners with recognised skills and qualifications while supporting Oxfordshire County Council and our partners in developing a skilled and resilient highways workforce that benefits the wider community.”
Local authority backing for construction skills development
Oxfordshire County Council said the initiative supports both workforce development and its commitments to the armed forces community.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council’s and its Overall Military Champion, said: “We are committed to supporting our military forces communities across the county and are delighted to be involved in this excellent initiative. This new academy is about creating opportunities for people who’ve served our country while developing the skilled workforce Oxfordshire needs.”
The academy forms part of wider efforts across the construction and highways sectors to develop alternative training routes and targeted skills programmes to address labour shortages and improve workforce resilience.
