Six care-experienced young people from Havering recently completed a new three-week Introduction to Highways programme, designed to give them practical experience of the industry and support their next steps towards employment.
Building on Marlborough’s long-standing partnership with Havering Council and our shared commitment to delivering positive outcomes for local communities, Marlborough worked closely with the borough, Havering Works and The Skills Centre to deliver a free, three-week ‘Introduction to Highways’ training course in Summer 2026.
Supported by the Mayor of London and the European Social Fund, this first-of-its-kind Marlborough programme combined classroom-based learning with practical, hands-on training. Kyian, Ellie, Leighton, Taha, Liam and Ibraheem developed their knowledge of the highways and construction sector while gaining practical skills and recognised industry experience.
Following their successful completion of the course, all six participants were invited to Marlborough’s annual Apprenticeship Assessment Day, giving them the opportunity to meet colleagues from across the business and interview for a place on our Operational Apprenticeship Programme.
Covering highways maintenance, street lighting and traffic management, our Operational Apprenticeship Programme gives apprentices the opportunity to earn a living wage while gaining recognised qualifications and practical experience, supported by structured training and mentoring.
Creating accessible routes into employment is an important part of the social value we deliver through our partnership with Havering Council. By working closely with the Council and local partners, programmes like this can respond to local priorities while giving young people practical training, industry experience and a clearer route into a career in highways.
Reflecting on his time on the three-week course, Kyian, said:
“People like me who’ve been in care should be confident in what they have, what they can do. Everyone is different but we can take the opportunities courses like this give us – we can rise up from where we’ve come from and do well from it. Marlborough’s shown me that I can do so much and I’m learning all the time. I’m so happy I got this opportunity, without it, I don’t know what I’d be doing, but now I’m looking forward to building up my future.”
Leighton, another of the six care-experienced adults that took on the programme, added:
“I wasn’t a fan of school, and couldn’t sit still in a classroom, but I’ve wanted to be in construction since I was a kid as I like manual work and being outside. My carer got me an interview with Marlborough; I was in maths when I was told I’d got on the course! Now that it’s over, I’m looking forward to going higher up in the industry, maybe a site manager one day! Bad days can only be bad days if you let them happen to you – I want people who’ve been in care to stay away from bad decisions, find out what they want to do, ask around – that’s what I did – so many people can support you and I’m getting to learn so much which will help me in the future.”
Marlborough’s Social Value Manager Nula Krawczynski, whose work was instrumental in shaping and delivering our initiative, continued:
“At Marlborough, we’re committed to creating opportunities where young people can build rewarding careers in our industry. Working closely with Havering Council and Havering Works, as well as our partners at The Skills Centre, we’ve really been able to support local care-experienced adults as they take their first steps towards employment.
The enthusiasm and progress shown by all six participants has been fantastic to see. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved over the past three weeks, and look forward to seeing where their journey takes them next.”
Emma Birkett, Senior Project Support Officer of Children’s Services, added:
“As part of the successful partnership between Havering Council and Marlborough Highways, both organisations are committed to delivering meaningful social value outcomes for residents. Through this initiative, Marlborough Highways is supporting care leavers by providing apprenticeship and training opportunities that equip them with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to secure sustainable employment.
Recognising the unique challenges that care leavers may face when entering the workforce, this programme aims to provide targeted support and remove barriers to employment. By creating accessible routes into a competitive sector, the initiative will help care leavers build confidence, achieve greater independence and establish rewarding long-term careers.”
John Fenton, Centre Director at The Skills Centre, said:
“The joint venture between Marlborough and The Skills Centre provided a fantastic opportunity for young people leaving care to enhance their skills and knowledge of the construction industry, take part in practical hands on training, gain a level 1 in Construction and a CSCS card that will allow them to find work throughout the industry.”