Hugh Baird College partners with Huyton Asphalt to deliver new apprenticeship programme

Hugh Baird College and at Huyton Asphalt are partnering to create a new apprenticeship programme.

Delivered by experienced industry mentors at Hugh Baird College and at Huyton Asphalt’s Knowsley facility, this program is the first of its kind for the Liverpool City Region (LCR), addressing critical skills shortages in the construction and highways sector while fostering local talent from across the region.

The 24-month apprenticeship combines theoretical learning at Hugh Baird College, rated Outstanding by Ofsted, with paid, hands-on practical training, equipping apprentices with essential skills in road surfacing, pavement repair, underground services location, traffic management and sustainable practices.

As part of Huyton Asphalt’s HA Highways Academy, this unique program offers mentoring and pathways to paid work in specialist trades. Apprentices from diverse LCR communities will benefit from this initiative, which supports the LCR’s Transport for the City Region Settlement (TCR) for 2027-2032 aimed to enhance connectivity, reduce carbon emissions, and build a skilled workforce for infrastructure projects.

Under the “HA Means More” culture, which is a foundational strategic pilar of the business, Huyton Asphalt places skills development and employability at the heart of operations. This Apprenticeship Programme draws on Huyton Asphalt’s third-generation family heritage to create opportunities that empower young local people and contribute to the region’s economy.

James Blennerhassett, Managing Director, Huyton Asphalt said:

“This apprenticeship embodies our commitment to building a sustainable future for our businesses and the LCR’s highways sector. As an award winning business rooted in St Helens, Knowsley and Liverpool, we’re proud to partner with HA Civils and Hugh Baird College to deliver real-world training and education that addresses the important 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. We are proud to work alongside Huyton Asphalt and HA Civils to support the development of the next generation of highways and infrastructure professionals for the Liverpool City Region.”

Local leaders have welcomed the initiative. 

Peter Dowd MP, Chair of the Liverpool City Region All-Party Parliamentary Group, said: 

“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”

The first cohort on the Highway Maintenance Operative pathway officially began their apprenticeship journey in December 2025 and are already fully immersed in the business and the industry’s’ day to day operations and processes.

Find out more and Hugh Baird College’s apprenticeship portal.

Find more Liverpool news here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.