Tuesday September 29th 2026
BEAR Scotland roadworker apprenticeship programme
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Scotland’s leading trunk road maintenance and management company, BEAR Scotland, has teamed up with specialist industry training provider Sibbald Training to develop a tailored Road Building and Maintenance training programme.
The new programme will see employees undertake the Road Building and Maintenance Modern Apprenticeship through Skills Development Scotland, forming part of the SCQF Level 5 Civil Engineering framework. The Industry Specific Training element of the Modern Apprenticeship has also been approved by CITB.
Alongside the Modern Apprenticeship qualification, BEAR Scotland and Sibbald Training have worked collaboratively to develop a bespoke programme of additional training designed specifically around the skills required by BEAR’s road maintenance workforce.
The programme has been developed to upskill existing employees while also providing a structured route into the industry for new entrants.
BEAR Scotland and Sibbald Training collaborated to develop the programme in response to a recognised skills need within the sector. With local colleges in South East Scotland no longer offering training in this area and a reduction in appropriately skilled candidates coming forward, the two organisations worked together to create a structured training pathway tailored to the skills required within BEAR’s road maintenance operations.
The debut cohort includes eight employees from four different BEAR depots across the South East of Scotland. Four of the participants are new to the business and the sector, while four are existing BEAR employees who will use the programme to further develop their skills and competence.
Jamie Finlayson, BEAR Scotland South East Contract Director, explains: “BEAR is responsible for looking after 506km of strategic routes from central Scotland through to the Borders, including the Edinburgh City Bypass and the M8. To ensure that we keep these key roads and bridges in as safe and reliable a condition as possible for the people of Scotland, we need a skilled and dedicated workforce.
“We’re excited about the potential of the partnership with Sibbald that has been developed to address a demand for appropriate skills. The scheme underlines BEAR’s commitment to investing in our staff to ensure we deliver the best service and keep the roads in peak condition.”
The year-long programme sees candidates attending six separate week-long training blocks at Sibbald Training’s dedicated training centre at Sibbald Park, Blackridge, West Lothian, spread throughout the 12-month programme.
John Sibbald, Managing Director of Sibbald Training, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside BEAR Scotland to develop this programme. Rather than taking an off-the-shelf approach, we’ve been able to work closely with the BEAR team to understand the skills their roadworkers need and build a training programme around their actual working environment.
“The combination of the Modern Apprenticeship, dedicated practical training at Sibbald Park and assessment within the candidates’ own workplaces gives them the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills and then put these into practice in a real working environment.
“We see this first cohort as the beginning of what could become a really valuable training pathway for developing skilled roadworkers, and we’re looking forward to seeing the candidates progress over the next 12 months.”
Training will cover a range of road building and maintenance activities, including flexible pavement works, laying and working with road materials, setting out, kerbing, drainage and the installation of street ironwork. The programme will also include a five-day Street Works training and assessment programme, providing industry-recognised training relevant to BEAR.
Between training blocks, candidates will continue developing and applying their skills within their normal working environment at BEAR Scotland. Sibbald Training assessors will also undertake up to four workplace visits throughout the year to assess candidates carrying out activities in real working conditions and gather evidence of occupational competence towards their SVQ qualification.
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