Creation of the new qualification was spearheaded by a working group including Costain, HS2, Thames Water, Sapa UK, Mitie, Morrison Utilities, Permission Homes, Sisk, Skanska, and Balfour Beatty.

The first group of 20 apprentices across all industries have started their apprenticeships with another 160 set to follow shortly.

Two of those will be working with Costain on its A-one+ Joint Venture in Kent starting next month.

Ian Nixon, highway and nuclear sector SHE manager at Costain, said: “Technological innovation is transforming the workplace across every industry.

“Every business is placing a premium on those employees who have the expertise and abilities to assess the operational risks of these new technologies and implement steps to ensure that staff can manage them safely and securely.

“That is why, in partnership with colleagues from across many different sectors, we have developed England’s first SHE apprenticeship.

“This new scheme will equip trainees with the knowledge, expertise and skills needed to mitigate safety risks and help businesses manage any areas of potential harm to employees.”

The SHE apprenticeship is a level three qualification which is the equivalent of two A Levels and allows apprentices to learn while they earn – 20% of their time will be spent on additional off the job training.