IHE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN

HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE

Introduction
The IHE Professional Certificate enables those working within the highway industry to demonstrate their
knowledge and competence in the field of Highway maintenance. The Professional Certificate is available
to both IHE members and non-members and is also designed to cater for both maintenance management
(client and consultant) and maintenance operations (contractor). For the individual it proves competence and
highlights personal achievements. For an employer it ensures competent staff and contributes to providing
a map for structured training. The Professional Certificate in Highway Maintenance is awarded in three grades:

Foundation
Practitioner
Expert / Lead Practitioner

All those who work within the field of Highway Maintenance can apply to gain the Professional Certificate
whatever their academic background and experience. To gain the Professional Certificate, applicants must
submit a Portfolio of Evidence in highway maintenance with a focus on recent projects/work assignments
and be prepared to present the report at an interview (dependant on level).
Foundation
Summary
Be able to demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of various core aspects
of highway maintenance. Competence driven
Based on portfolio of evidence
Practitioner of YOUR work

Demonstrate the ability to solve problems and lead. Assessment at interview

(dependant on level)

Expert Practitioner Available to all, independent

of qualification, experience or
Exercising significant leadership and management responsibilities in the field institute membership
of Highway Maintenance.
Valid for five years

Competencies Can be combined with an

IHE Professional Review
Presently there are 14 competencies available to select from with 3 core ones
which must be completed.

Grade Competencies Required*

Min Max
1 Foundation 5 14
2 Practitioner 8 14
3 Expert Practitioner n/a ALL 14

* Applicants must pass all 3 core competencies.

* See Highway Maintenance Competency Framework for details of competencies
* See Highway Maintenance Overview document for further information on the
Professional Certificate.

Application
IHE Application Form endorsed by Employer
Photocopies of any educational qualifications and a list of training courses
A CV (not more than two A4 pages)
Current job description
An organisation chart showing your current position
Portfolio
 of Evidence demonstrating your work on selected projects cross
referenced to your selected competencies
All submissions will be reviewed by two assessors from an appointed IHE Highway
Maintenance Panel and applicants (depending on level) may be required to
attend an interview to demonstrate knowledge and competence in the given
competencies.

Further information is available from the IHE De Morgan House, 58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS.
www.theihe.org | Telephone Cherrie Ouerghi on 0203 073 2633 | Email events@theihe.org
Overview
Highway maintenance has seen a sharp rise in public
awareness over recent years and the effects of austerity,
maintenance backlogs and extreme weather have all
contributed to the rising profile of the highway
maintenance sector.
Never has the requirement and expectation of efficient
highway maintenance engineering been higher on the agenda
of the travelling public.
IHE Professional Certificate
In response to this raised profile the IHE is offering a
Professional Certificate in Highway Maintenance to provide an
opportunity for those with appropriate maintenance
engineering experience to demonstrate their competence and
expand upon their knowledge of this increasingly important
area. The Professional Certificate will be offered at
Foundation, Practitioner and Expert/Lead Practitioner level
and will provide an industry benchmark for quality for those
involved in various parts of the highway maintenance sector.
The Professional Certificate is available to both IHE members
and non-members and is also designed to cater for both
maintenance management (client and consultant) and
maintenance operations (contractor) roles.
The IHE is working with partners to ensure that the
Professional Certificates reflect industry needs. Award of the
Professional Certificate is subject to a commitment by the
applicant to maintain their skill levels and to complete
appropriate and structured CPD learning. CPD records may be
called for inspection at any time to ensure that records are
being maintained in accordance with the Standard.
Training and Certifying Highway
Maintenance Professionals
The IHE has well established processes which have been
developed for a number of subject areas which lead to the
award of a Professional Certificate. Successful candidates will
be aided in being able to practice the skills and competencies
to a recognised standard.
Candidates may use the Professional Certificate to join IHE as
a Member grade of the Institute. The Professional Certificate
may also assist in an application for registration at an
appropriate level with Engineering Council.
Employers can be confident that holders of the IHE
Professional Certificate are qualified practitioners and thus
holders of the Professional Certificate could enjoy an
advantage in the jobs market.
. Soil and Materials Sampling, Performance and
How can the Professional Certificate
be gained?
The Professional Certificate can be gained by one of two
routes, both of which are based around a series of identified
competencies:
1. S ubmit an individual Portfolio of Evidence demonstrating
competence against a series of set competencies.
2. S uccessfully complete the IHE course which includes
a taught programme, assessment and assignments.
(Course currently under development).
Competencies
Following on-going discussions with industry the following
competencies have been identified for Highway Maintenance
practitioners against which the Professional Certificates will
be awarded: (See Highway Maintenance Competency
Framework document)
Core competencies
Highway Maintenance Specifications and Codes
of Practice
Asset Management Systems and Principles
Health and Safety Legislation and Responsibilities
Including Temporary Traffic Management
Subject specific competencies
Highway Law, Legal Duties and Powers Relating to
Highway Maintenance
Structural Maintenance Materials, Techniques and
Considerations
Highway Inspections
Reactive and Planned Maintenance Techniques
Bituminous Materials Use and Considerations
Surface Dressing, Thin Surfacing and Slurry Seal Design
and Application
Failure Identification and Remedial Treatments
Maintenance Contract Management, Quantity Surveying
and Administration
Drainage, Flood Risk and Environmental & Landscape
Maintenance
Sustainable and Innovative Highway Maintenance
Techniques
Testing Practice
Levels of Professional Certificate
Foundation Practitioner
(Understanding) (Practicing)
Individual Portfolio Course Route Individual Portfolio
Submission of Attend a IHE course Submission of
individual portfolio and successfully individual portfolio
covering 5 of the complete assignments covering 8 of the
competencies. / assessments to competencies.
Foundation Level.
(This must include the (This must include the
3 core competencies). 3 core competencies).
The Course Route
The course is under development and will likely follow a
similar format to other IHE Professional Certificates.
A structured training programme will deliver the skills and
information required to become a Highway Maintenance
Professional and there will be the ability to advance to a
Professional Certificate to allow practitioners to confirm their
achievements and competency.
The IHE organises suitable training courses that are attractive
to a wide range of candidates across the whole of the UK
recognising different aspects and requirements.
Delivery:
It is usual that a minimum level of technical training is
established comprising a number of individual subject
sessions, (each with appropriate exercises, assignments
and an end of course assessment) would be necessary.
It will be at three levels in the National Qualifications
Framework (NQF);
Technician or Foundation (level 3/4)
Engineer or Practitioner level, (level 4/5) and
Senior or Lead or Expert/Lead Practitioner level (level 6/7)
The training course will be delivered by well-known industry
providers with a series of individual speakers tailored to the
above competencies. Candidates will be assessed against each
of the competencies through the successful completion of the
study programme, assignments, and review of brought
material.
The training course route will consist of a series of mandatory
core and specific subject modules which will relate to the
IHE Highway Maintenance Professional Certificate
Competency Framework requirements. (See Competency
Framework document) No maximum will be specified, but
candidates should include at least 5 modules (3 being the
Core modules) for minimum Foundation level or a minimum
8 modules (3 being the Core modules) for Practitioner level
in their assessment documentation. This will allow an
individual working in different areas of highway maintenance
to specialise in some of the subjects whilst ensuring they
have the underpinning knowledge required by Highway
Maintenance professionals.
For further information on the IHE Professional Certificates, and on how to apply and the associated IHE Quality
Procedures visit the IHE website (www.theihe.org).
Expert/Lead
Practitioner
(Managing)
Course Route Individual Portfolio
Attend a IHE course Submission of
and successfully individual portfolio
complete assignments covering ALL 14 of
/ assessments to the competencies.
Practitioner Level
(Course under
development).
On successfully completing the training course and final
assessments, candidates will be awarded a Course Completion
Certificate and a Highway Maintenance Professional
Certificate at either Foundation Practitioner level, subject to
the candidates overall assessment (i.e. Portfolio of Evidence
will be required for Practitioner levels) and an interview may
be also be requested.
The Individual Portfolio Route
Candidates for the IHE Professional Certificate who consider
that they already have sufficient skills, training and experience
can apply for a Professional Certificate through the individual
portfolio route.
Applicants should submit a Portfolio of Evidence
demonstrating their knowledge and experience across the
identified competencies. Typically this will include approx.
800-1200 words for each competency with supporting
evidence (eg. scheme designs, contract estimates, reports,
letters, statements, photographs, drawings etc.) verified by
an employer. The Portfolio of Evidence will be reviewed by an
appointed IHE Highway Maintenance Panel of professionals
and applicants may be asked to attend an interview. The IHE
works with partners to ensure that the review process is fair
and robust.
Professional Interview
The purpose of the professional interview is to ensure that
assessors can reassure themselves that the candidates
knowledge covers that listed in the Competence Standards.
They will ask questions about a candidates assignments and
about how they have applied their Highway Maintenance
knowledge in practice with reference to the submitted
Portfolio of Evidence.
The IHE appointed assessors make a recommendation to
the IHE Highway Maintenance Steering Group and IHEs
Membership & Qualifications Committee.
Professional Certificate in Highway Maintenance Competency Framework
Candidates must demonstrate knowledge and experience of the modules to the appropriate understands/practices/manages
levels in order to be assessed at the Foundation, Practitioner or Expert/Lead Practitioner level.

To obtain the award of foundation level, applicants must successfully demonstrate their competence in FIVE of the following
fourteen modules.

To obtain the award of practitioner level Professional Certificate, members must successfully demonstrate their competence
within at least EIGHT of the following fourteen modules. To obtain the award of Expert /Lead practitioner level Professional
Certificate, candidates must successfully demonstrate their competence at a senior level within ALL of the following fourteen
modules.

The three core modules are mandatory at all levels.

Competencies:

MODULE COMPETENCY CONTENT

1 ASSET Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of the principles behind managing highway assets
MANAGEMENT including worst first and whole-life cost scenarios.
SYSTEMS &
PRINCIPLES Show practical examples of planning, managing and delivering programmes of work linked to
asset management principles.
(CORE)
2 HEALTH Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of the requirements of Safety at Street Works and
AND SAFETY Road Works Code of Practice together with knowledge of responsibilities, risk assessments
REGULATIONS and safe systems of work relating to highway maintenance activities.
AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
INCLUDING
TEMPORARY
TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT
CONSIDERATIONS

(CORE)
3 HIGHWAY Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of a range of relevant specifications for highway works,
MAINTENANCE maintenance and serviceability, including relevant highway maintenance specifications, safety
SPECIFICATIONS standards and codes of practice.
AND CODES OF
PRACTICE

(CORE)
4 STRUCTURAL Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of the construction materials, depths and thicknesses
MAINTENANCE involved in structural maintenance or reconstruction of both rigid, composite and flexible roads
MATERIALS, and footways.
TECHNIQUES AND
CONSIDERATIONS Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of substrate characteristics, traffic and CBR relationship
in relation to materials chosen.
5 HIGHWAY LAW, Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of the definition of highways, highway adoption and
LEGAL DUTIES dedication.
AND POWERS
RELATING TO Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of the duties and enforcement powers of highway
HIGHWAY authorities set out within the Highways Act 1980 including Section 41 and defence under Section
MAINTENANCE 58. Supervision of others working on the highway under New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.
AND
MANAGEMENT
 6 HIGHWAY Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and experience level regarding of specific inspections
INSPECTIONS together with an understanding of and the reasons and techniques employed in highway
TYPES AND inspections, surveys and frequencies.
REASONS FOR
CONDUCTING Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of accurate record keeping and legal process.
INSPECTIONS OF
THE HIGHWAY
7 REACTIVE Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of the relationship between reactive and planned
AND PLANNED maintenance.
MAINTENANCE
TECHNIQUES Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of costings, performance life, workmanship
requirements and end user perception must also be demonstrated along with an appreciation
of emerging technologies and developments in the highway maintenance sector.

Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of safety implications, environmental impacts

and sustainability relating to maintenance techniques.
8 BITUMINOUS Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of bituminous surfacing materials, thicknesses
MATERIAL and characteristics of different surface course materials used in both roads and footways.
USE AND Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of relative costs, durability and safety characteristics
CONSIDERATIONS of surface course materials.
9 SURFACE Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of the use, application and limitation of thin surfacing,
DRESSING, THIS surface dressing and slurry seal systems, including appreciation of the factors contributing to
SURFACING AND design, use and service life of surface treatment systems.
SLURRY SEALING
DESIGN AND
APPLICATION
10 FAILURE Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of types and reasons for a range of highway failure
IDENTIFICATION characteristics, including the ability to identify causes and corrective actions to remedy defects
AND REMEDIAL and apply preventative measures.
TREATMENTS
11 MAINTENANCE Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of the components of contracts, specification,
CONTRACT BoQs and methods of measurement including principles of estimating and costing of works.
MANAGEMENT,
QUANTITY
SURVEYING AND
ADMINISTRATION
12 DRAINAGE, Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of highway drainage principles, responsibilities for
FLOOD RISK AND highway drainage and factors relating to flood risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL
AND LANDSCAPE Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of SuDS and environmental maintenance regimes
MAINTENANCE including forestry, gullies, sweeping, grass etc.
13 SUSTAINABLE Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of a range of innovative highway repair and
AND INNOVATIVE maintenance techniques, providing evidence which may include trials and evaluation of repairs,
HIGHWAY testing, cost reduction strategies and recycling initiatives applied to highway maintenance.
MAINTENANCE
TECHNIQUES
14 SOIL AND Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level of a range of testing principles and techniques used
MATERIALS across various highway maintenance materials.
SAMPLING,
PERFORMANCE Demonstrate appropriate knowledge level factors relating to the performance of different soils
AND TESTING and substrates for highway construction.
PRACTICE

Award of the Professional Certificate is subject to a commitment by the applicant to maintain their skill levels and
to complete appropriate and structured CPD learning. CPD records may be called by the IHE for inspection at any
time to ensure that records are being maintained in accordance with the standard.

Further information is available from the IHE De Morgan House, 58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS.
www.theihe.org | Telephone Cherrie Ouerghi on 0203 073 2633 | Email events@theihe.org