IHE chief executive Richard Hayes said the launch of the NHEA was a major step forward for the highways industry.
“The IHE has been vocal about the alarming skills shortage faced by the highways sector for many years and we’re delighted to be part of a solution. We’re working hard to provide training to a dedicated workforce with the specialist skills and expertise the industry needs to build the UK’s road network. The launch of the NHEA as a virtual tool for highways practitioners opens up this industry to a broader range of talented and skilled individuals.”
Use of the NHEA is free to all existing IHE members and will be accessed through the IHE website. Non-members who wish to use the academy will also be able to use the online facilities using unique login details.
“Our new online academy will deliver the qualifications, skills and knowledge demanded by the highways industry and in short-supply today,” added Hayes.
“It will be a training hub for the next generation of highway professionals that will offer engineers and technicians the training to refine and upgrade their skill set for working within the highways industry.”
The NHEA’s academic activities include:
- Providing life long career profile for highways practitioners
- Signposting quality highway professional development opportunities
- Monitoring and addressing highways sector skills needs
- Accrediting learning and training
- Commissioning and promoting PGDip/PDCert in highway engineering
- Promoting the highway engineering profession
- Promoting professional registration
- Providing registers for competent highway engineers.
The NHEA is hosted by the IHE, who work alongside the All Party Parliamentary Group on Highway Maintenance (APPG) to offer a full spectrum of training opportunities.
The NHEA’s Interim Governance Board consists of chair, secretary, treasurer, two executive board members, industry corporate partners and an academic representative.
A new Apprentice of the Year award is being supported by the NHEA at this year's Highways Magazine Excellence Awards. It will be awarded to an individual working in the highways industry for the first time who has made a considerable contribution in the workplace. For more information on this year's event visit www.hmea.co.uk
