Local Apprentices Shortlisted for Prestigious DfT Special Recognition Awards

We are thrilled to announce that two of our apprentices have been shortlisted as finalists for the DfT Special Recognition Awards 2024. This prestigious event will take place as part of the Strictly Highways event in Blackpool, spanning three days, with the awards being announced on October 2nd.

-

Kizito Brady from Bolton Council and Kieran May from AE Yates have both been nominated for the Highways Apprentice of the Year Award 2024. This award celebrates outstanding apprentices who have made significant contributions and had a positive impact on their course, workplace, or the wider highways sector during their apprenticeship.

-

-

Criteria for the Award

The winner of the Highways Apprentice of the Year Award will have demonstrated outstanding positive impact by successfully applying their learning in the following areas:

• Contributed to Projects: Active participation and contribution to highways projects, including planning, execution, and monitoring. Demonstrating effective teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle responsibilities with diligence and efficiency.
• Initiative and Innovation: Demonstrating initiative and innovative thinking in their work, proposing and implementing new ideas, processes, or technologies that positively impact project outcomes, safety, sustainability, or efficiency in the highways sector.
• Overcome Challenges: Overcoming significant challenges during their training and apprenticeship, showing resilience, determination, and the ability to learn from setbacks to achieve success in their roles.
• Overall Impact and Contribution: Overall impact and contribution to the highways sector, including influence on the workplace, projects, colleagues, and contributions to the wider community or industry.

-

Our Nominees

Both Kizito and Kieran were part of our first cohort of the new Highways Maintenance Academy, which started in September 2023. They are now heading into their second year and have already made remarkable strides in their careers. Kizito Brady started his apprenticeship at just 16 years old. He has demonstrated resilience, determination, and positivity throughout the programme. Recognising and embracing the opportunity to make an independent career for himself, Kizito has gained valuable skills, experience, colleagues, and friends along the way. Kieran May has made a comprehensive impact characterised by his ability to drive project success, inspire colleagues, and contribute to industry advancements. His dedication and leadership have left a lasting impression on both his organisation and the broader highways sector, highlighting his potential for continued significant contributions in his future career. We are incredibly proud of Kizito and Kieran and wish them the best of luck at the awards ceremony. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work and the support of their mentors and colleagues.