Imagine a career where you play a vital role in keeping North Yorkshire moving - every single day.
From maintaining essential infrastructure to improving one of the most advanced road networks in the region, a career with NY Highways puts you right at the heart of it all.
This could be your opportunity to get started.
Whether you’re leaving school, looking for a career change, or returning to work, an apprenticeship with us can help you take the next step.
🚧 Drive your future with NY Highways
As an apprentice, you’ll:
💷 Earn a salary while you learn
🧰 Gain hands-on, real-world experience
👷♀️ Work alongside skilled professionals
🎓 Achieve recognised qualifications
🌍 Support local communities & infrastructure, whilst building skills for the region’s future
All while developing a long-term career with us across areas such as:
🚚 Fleet
🛣️ Highways Operative
💡 Street Lighting
Jamie Keech, is a Fleet Apprentice based at NY Highways’ Pickering workshop. In December 2025 he was awarded East Riding College’s Apprentice of the Year in the Scarborough and Bridlington Motor Vehicle category.
To celebrate his achievement, we spoke with Jamie about the award and what inspires him to keep pushing forward:
What inspired you to pursue a career in vehicle mechanics and how did you first get involved with NY Highways’ apprenticeship programme?
I really enjoy learning about how vehicles work and I have been lifelong friends with Josh Thompson, who works on the NY Highways Fleet team. I saw the opportunity and decided to apply – and here I am!
I was already doing an apprenticeship elsewhere, so I joined NY Highways at Level 3 due to my previous experience. The transition was smooth as I understood the principles and had support from the team.
What does winning the Apprentice of the Year award mean to you personally?
Steve Bowe (Fleet Manager) had noticed the award and thought I should apply – Josh Dale, my manager and Workshop Controller for Pickering, applied on my behalf.
When I received the email to say I had won, I was shocked! There were so many candidates that I didn’t think I would be successful, so it was a lovely surprise, and I’m really pleased that all the hard work has paid off.
Have you come across anything challenging during your apprenticeship so far, and how did you overcome it?
At first, there was a lot to get my head around when it came to vehicle inspections. I asked plenty of questions and, with support from the team, I soon got used to it and grew in confidence.
Have you got a project or task you’re most proud of during your training?
I’ve enjoyed everything so far and get a lot of job satisfaction. One of my proudest moments was when we were fitting gritter bodies onto QCB vehicles – I was able to identify and resolve issues on my own, which really demonstrated my problem-solving skills.
I also volunteered during the large-scale operation at the Langdale and Fylingdales moorland fire in August 2025. After completing my normal shift, I stayed back to help move vehicles between depots, making sure resources were in the right place at the right time. I didn’t get home until nearly 10pm, but I was just glad I could help.
How do you balance learning at college with hands-on experience in the workplace?
It’s really interesting to combine the processes and principles learned at college with the practical experience at work – the styles of learning are very different. However, the theory from college helps me diagnose issues and find solutions in the workshop.
How has your confidence grown since beginning your apprenticeship?
A lot! At first I was asking lots of questions and always checking with senior staff because I was nervous about getting something wrong. After about a year, my work was only being checked at the end of each task, and my confidence has now grown to the point where I can work independently much more often.
I couldn’t have done this without the support of the team. For example, Dan Thompson (a chargehand at Pickering) was a great help in making sure I balanced my college work with practical tasks. The whole team has been so welcoming, and after only a week I felt like an integral part of the team rather than just a number.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I see my future with NY Highways – I hope to work my way up the ladder at the workshop. I like to get my hands dirty so I don’t think I’m ready for an office job! It would be great to be a chargehand or perhaps even an apprentice trainer.
What advice would you give to someone considering a motor vehicle apprenticeship?
Be prepared to be curious and ask lots of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling. You must be a team player and open to learning new skills.
If you would like to find out more about apprenticeships at NY Highways, go to the Careers page to find the details of how to access our vacancies.
When Joe Robson first came across the idea of an apprenticeship, it was through a simple recommendation — but it opened the door to something much bigger. He wasn’t just looking for a job; he wanted something practical, varied and worthwhile. Highways offered exactly that: the chance to learn on the job, be part of a team, and see the results of your work out in the real world every day.
Now in his second year with NYHighways, Joe is based in Area 7 (Selby), working alongside experienced colleagues on everything from footway resurfacing to accessibility improvements and parapet maintenance. No two days are the same, and that’s been a big part of what’s kept him engaged. One day he might be helping to build a footway from scratch, the next he’s learning about different materials and how they’re used, or contributing to site safety by supporting risk assessments. It’s hands-on, it’s varied, and it’s real.
Over the last year, you can really see how far Joe has come. His confidence has grown massively — not just in using equipment or carrying out tasks, but in how he carries himself on site. He’s someone his team trust, often getting stuck into work without needing close supervision. That hasn’t happened by chance; it’s come from a genuine willingness to learn, ask questions and take every opportunity that comes his way. It’s exactly the kind of attitude that thrives at NYHighways.
What Joe’s story shows is that an apprenticeship here isn’t about being on the sidelines — you’re part of the team from day one, contributing to real projects and gradually building your skills and independence. You’re supported, but also trusted to step up, which makes a huge difference.
His hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed either. Joe was recently named Construction Apprentice of the Year at the North Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026, a brilliant recognition of how far he’s come in a relatively short space of time.
For anyone thinking about their future, Joe’s journey is a great example of what a career in highways can offer. It’s not just about learning a trade — it’s about building confidence, gaining experience and creating a career you can be proud of.