Apprentices signed up to the new London Highways Alliance to deliver road maintenance activities are being offered concessionary Oyster travel cards to help them save money on their way to work.

Individuals receive a 30% discount for use of the Underground and buses. According to Transport for London's director of roads Dana Skelley the concession forms part of an effort to support young apprentices in the capital looking to forge a career in the highways sector.

"Apprentices signed up to the alliance get involved in a wide variety of disciplines from electrical work to masonry work and are learning skills that can be transferred to other employers," she said. "Many contractors understand the huge value apprentices can bring; not least because they challenge us by asking why we do things a certain way."

Twenty apprentices signed up to work on the new London Highways Alliance gathered earlier in May in Bow to share their experiences with others and demonstrate their skills such as laying kerbs, installing tactile paving and filling potholes.

The four contractors on the London Highways Alliance, which came into force in April, are a Colas / Volker Highways / URS joint venture, Enterprise Mouchel, Conway AECOM and Ringway Jacobs.

Ms Skelley said the alliance contract encourages individuals to be seconded among the four contractors and some apprentices have expressed an interest in learning about the design of highway works.

Apprentices will also be encouraged to support teenagers enrolled in highways related courses at the Royal Greenwich University Technical College, which is due to open in September.

Photo London Highways Alliance

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