Sibbald Training in Partnership with BEAR Scotland Develop Bespoke Road Building and Maintenance Training Programme
Posted 30 September 2026
Sibbald Training is pleased to be working in partnership with BEAR Scotland, Scotland’s leading trunk road maintenance and management company, to deliver a tailored Road Building and Maintenance training programme designed around the needs of BEAR’s workforce.
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.
Working collaboratively, Sibbald Training and BEAR Scotland have developed a bespoke programme of additional training focused specifically on the practical skills required within BEAR’s road maintenance operations.
The programme is designed both to upskill existing employees and to provide a structured route into the sector for new entrants.
The partnership was developed in response to a recognised skills need within the industry. With local colleges in South East Scotland no longer offering training in this area, and fewer appropriately skilled candidates entering the sector, Sibbald Training and BEAR Scotland worked together to create a structured training pathway aligned with the practical requirements of road maintenance roles.
The first cohort includes nine employees from four BEAR depots across the South East of Scotland. Four participants are new to both BEAR Scotland and the sector, while the remaining five are existing employees who will use the programme to further develop their knowledge, skills and competence.
Jamie Finlayson, BEAR Scotland South East Contract Director, said:
“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 will see candidates attend 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 broad 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 candidates with additional industry-recognised training relevant to their roles within BEAR Scotland.
Between training blocks, candidates will continue to develop and apply their skills within their normal working environment. Sibbald Training assessors will also carry out up to four workplace visits during the programme, assessing candidates as they complete activities in real working conditions and gathering evidence of occupational competence towards their SVQ qualification.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment from Sibbald Training and BEAR Scotland to investing in skills, supporting workforce development and creating sustainable pathways into the road maintenance and civil engineering sector.