UltraCrete are proud to announce their partnership with Salford City College Group, which will see all students working towards their Highways Maintenance Skilled Operative Apprenticeship become UCARS Accredited.

UltraCrete are passionate about training and have been advocates and supporters of providing opportunities for enhanced learning and education for many years. With that in mind, in 2022 they launched their industry-leading accreditation scheme UCARS – a systematic training guide to installing high specification ironwork reinstatement materials.

On partnering with Salford City College Group, Richard Moss, Head of Civils at Instarmac, commented: 'Educating the industry is a big passion of mine, and the entire UltraCrete team. UCARS has been such a triumph for the highways sector, and I couldn’t be prouder to join forces with Salford City College Group and support their apprentices on next stage of their learning journey. Students beginning their highway maintenance career will learn from outset the importance of using approved materials in the correct way, resulting in fewer failures and increased productivity. It’s a win for everyone.'

Allan Milne, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Salford City College also remarked: 'Salford City College Group are incredibly proud of the relationship we have with industry partners. They enhance and are at the heart of our curriculum, UltraCrete are a great example of this, and we look forward to working with them as one of our key Highway Maintenance Academy partners.'

Consisting of both classroom-based theory and practical experience, the career progression and benefits to the apprenticeship cohorts are clear to see. Since its launch two years ago, 161 Managers, Supervisors, Operatives and Apprentices from 27 contracting firms, councils and leading UK infrastructure companies are now UCARS Accredited.

On completing the course, one attendee commented: 'Can I just start by saying a huge thank you to everyone at Instarmac for the fantastic hospitality that we received today. Especially to Nick on his great presentation of the course and sharing his vast knowledge and experience. This will definitely be a course that we will send more operatives on in the future. What we have learned today will help Crown Highways Ltd to continue working towards our goal of zero remedial works.'

UCARS is held regularly throughout the year at UltraCrete’s training facilities in Tamworth or at Salford City College’s bespoke Highway Maintenance Academy. To find out more about UCARS and to register for an upcoming UCARS event, please visit instarmactrainingacademy.co.uk.

Can’t find a date to suit you and your business needs? Email training@instarmac.co.uk to arrange a training date that works for you.