HA Civils, Northwest-based SMEs specialising in highway maintenance and civil engineering, have launched a new Apprenticeship Pathway for Highway Maintenance Operatives aimed at addressing regional skills shortages.
The 24-month programme combines classroom learning at Hugh Baird College with paid, on-site practical training at Huyton Asphalt’s Knowsley facility.
Apprentices gain skills in road surfacing, pavement repair, underground services location, traffic management, and sustainable construction practices.
The initiative is the first of its kind for the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and is part of Huyton Asphalt’s HA Highways Academy, providing mentorship and structured pathways to employment in specialist trades.
Tackling Skills Shortages in Highways and Civil Engineering
James Blennerhassett, Managing Director of Huyton Asphalt, said:
“This apprenticeship embodies our commitment to building a sustainable future for our businesses and the LCR’s highways sector.
We’re proud to partner with HA Civils and Hugh Baird College to deliver real-world training that addresses the regional skills gap and supports economic growth across the city region.”
Rachel Hennigan, Principal and Chief Executive of Hugh Baird College, added:
“This partnership is a great example of how colleges and employers can work together to tackle skills shortages in a meaningful, practical way.
It creates clear opportunities for people from across our communities to gain experience, earn while they learn, and progress into skilled careers.”
Peter Dowd MP, Chair of the Liverpool City Region All-Party Parliamentary Group, commented:
“It’s always great to see local businesses like Huyton Asphalt working with our outstanding local education providers like Hugh Baird College to offer apprenticeships in much-needed roles.
This will ensure local young people gain the skills they need to secure well-paying jobs building high-quality infrastructure across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.”
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Hands-On Training for Real-World Highways Work
Apprentices on the Highway Maintenance Operative pathway gain exposure to day-to-day operations across Huyton Asphalt and HA Civils’ projects.
The programme also aligns with the Liverpool City Region Transport Settlement (TCR) 2027-2032, supporting local infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions, and building a skilled workforce for regional civil engineering projects.
The first cohort started in December 2025 and is actively engaged in learning both classroom theory and on-site practical operations.
About the Organisations
Huyton Asphalt and HA Civils are Northwest-based SMEs specialising in highway maintenance, surfacing, and civil engineering. Huyton Asphalt has operated in St Helens for 55 years, while HA Civils has been active in Liverpool since 2015. Both companies operate across the Liverpool City Region.
Hugh Baird College is an Ofsted Outstanding further education college in Merseyside offering apprenticeships, vocational programmes, A-levels, T-levels, and higher education courses. The college works closely with local employers to support progression into skilled careers.