On the right track
Investing in transport, investing in jobs
Improving Stockport’s connectivity and transport infrastructure, providing greater access to Manchester International Airport and jobs for the next generation.
Liam Redwood working towards his Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering.
The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road is a new 10km stretch of dual carriageway that connects the A6 near Hazel Grove to Manchester Airport and the link road to the M56.
Stockport Council has developed the £290million scheme with Manchester City Council, Cheshire East Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.
Designed to ease congestion on minor roads, the route will improve traffic flow in congested local areas. Importantly, it will also provide better access to Manchester Airport’s thriving Airport City and other key centres of employment, education, health, leisure and retail. A segregated pedestrian and cycle route also runs adjacent to the new road.
The joint venture has provided crucial employment opportunities for local, young people. These include Technician Apprenticeships, with people employed directly with additional training support from the Learning Skills Partnership.
Sixteen young people have secured work placements and six apprentices were chosen to launch their professional careers in construction. They were recruited following a tough selection process that tested their knowledge and skills for the sector.
Working across different areas of the relief road scheme, each of the apprentices has the opportunity to gain a wealth of hands-on experience as well as formal training during their 30-month placement.
Among them is 21-year-old Liam Redwood from Bredbury, who is currently working towards a Level 3 Diploma in civil engineering.
“It’s the mixture of work that I really enjoy,” he explains. “One minute you’re out on site, the next you’re back in the office completing all the paperwork and checking drawings. There’s something different to do every day.”
Liam’s enthusiasm for the role also saw him named as the Manchester Chamber of Commerce Young Apprentice of the Year. “I was asked to speak to an apprenticeship panel in the House of Commons as part of National Apprenticeship week.”
Now his thoughts have turned to the future. “I’ve got so many options,” he says. “I could become a setting out engineer on site, or could go to the commercial side, health and safety, or even environmental. The apprenticeship has opened up many of different paths for me.”