School Leaver 16+
Full Time
Level 1

Level 1 Highways and Transportation

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Start date
September 2026
Awarded by
Gateway Qualifications (GATEWAY)
Course code
P7029

Course Overview

Created in collaboration with Ringway, Surrey’s leading highway maintenance contractor, and their major supply chain partner Eurovia Surfacing, this one year Level 1 course is designed to provide a pathway to the Ringway Highways Maintenance/Groundworks Apprenticeship or a similar apprenticeship with Eurovia or other supply chain partner. With a growing demand for skilled workers in this field, the course develops skills learned on the Entry 3 programmes, in Construction, Employability and Digital, with a focus on application to highway maintenance. Certificated by the Gateway examining body, the Building and Construction specification is delivered with input from Ringway and Eurovia staff with live briefs/industry projects, masterclasses and enrichment activities.

Entry Requirements

You must be at least 17 years old. Ringway recognises that skilled workers do not always come with advanced levels of English and maths. However, GCSE Grade 2/Entry Level 3 qualifications in English and maths and experience and qualifications in construction are desirable. You must have the ability to work hard and take direction. Students have a six-week induction period to demonstrate their aptitude for the course.

You can apply online below or by telephoning our Admissions Department on 0208 394 3038. You will then receive an email inviting you in for an interview. The interview consists of an initial assessment before having a meeting with a member of the teaching team, where suitability and commitment will be assessed.

Students with developing literacy and numeracy skills are welcomed as are students with additional needs (EHCP students subject to Local Authority Consultation).

What the course covers

The course offers a delivery of masterclasses by industry professionals from Ringway UK.

Work Experience is a part of this course, the hours and dates will be determined by the course tutor.

The course is provided by the Foundation Learning Department, to ensure students are well supported with a higher students/staff ratio. Students are based in the specialist workshops to ensure they develop the skills and behaviours required for work in the industry. The course includes units to prepare students for assessment CSCS site access, First aid at work and driving theory.


You will study the following Mandatory Units:

  • Health and Safety in a Construction Environment (Highways and Transportation focus)
  • H&S/CSCS/ manual handling/Principles of RA (Highways and Transportation focus)
  • Working in Construction (Highways and Transportation focus)
  • Employability skills

In addition to the mandatory units, you will complete some of the optional units in order to achieve the full Entry Level 3 Certificate. Units have been designed to develop skills and knowledge in:

  • Digital Skills for Work
  • Drainage systems
  • Computer Aided Drawing – CAD
  • Environmental Awareness in Construction and Carbon Literacy(Highways and Transportation focus)
  • Working in a Team
  • Customer service skills
  • Introduction to Self-Employment

Students develop English and maths skills through a range of stepping stone qualifications, with a GCSE re-sit option for students with a Grade 3 who start in September.

Fees and funding

Please note:

  • Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 who have a valid EHCP, and are studying Further Education courses are not normally charged course fees
  • Adults may need to pay a fee depending on their personal circumstances. This will be assessed against the relevant Funding Body eligibility criteria at point of enrolment

If you don’t qualify for fee remission, the fees for 2026/27 will be:

£705 (plus registration fee to be advised at enrolment)

Fees are for 2026/27 entry and apply to students eligible for home fee status enrolling to funded programmes. The fees quoted are subject to personal circumstances and will be confirmed at the time of your enrolment, depending on eligibility criteria. For more information about financial support for students, please click here or email studentfinance@nescot.ac.uk

Additional costs include

  • Trips – £60
  • PPE – £80

Progression

Successful students can progress to a Ringway apprenticeship in Highways Maintenance/Groundworks, or a Eurovia apprenticeship Highways Maintenance or Surfacing. Other apprenticeship opportunities may be available through Ringway’s supply chain partners. Direct employment with Ringway or a supply chain partner may also be an option. Alternatively, students can progress to a Level 1 Programme at Nescot, subject to requisite English and maths qualifications.

Duration

One Year. Usually four days per week (16.5 hours) over 3 terms.

Start dates

September 2026

Course code: P7029