HS2 creates more than 1,000 apprenticeships
HS2 is celebrating another major milestone, with over 1,000 apprentice starts now confirmed on the UK 's flagship transport levelling up project.
The total number of new starters has reached 1,126, putting the company building Britain 's new railway on track to smash its target of creating 2,000 apprenticeships.
In September 2020 when construction began on the first phase of the project, linking the capital and the West Midlands, HS2 forecast that it would create 22,000 jobs in the coming years. Its skilled workforce has now reached nearly 30,000, with thousands more jobs supported across the country in the wider supply chain.
Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “HS2 's benefits clearly go far beyond improving connectivity and this is another great example of how it is changing lives across the country. ”
“The apprenticeship programme is an incredible opportunity for people starting their career, giving them the chance to work on the biggest infrastructure project in Europe while ensuring this pioneering project is being spearheaded by the very best new talent. ”
The demand for HS2 apprenticeships has grown exponentially since the pandemic, with 715 new starters recorded since March 2020. The vast range of courses on offer, at intermediate to degree level, is proving attractive to career movers and college leavers seeking to specialise in roles from carpentry and cyber security to tunnelling operatives and environmental technicians.
Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2 Ltd, who began his career as an apprentice said: “It 's great news that we 've passed the halfway mark and are well on our way to achieve our target of 2,000 apprenticeships at HS2.
“Creating early career opportunities and investing in the development of a skilled workforce delivers both immediate and long-term benefits to the UK economy, as well as giving us the opportunity to become a world-leader in high speed rail.
“Every person at the heart of that investment is helping to transform our railways and make city to city travel cleaner, greener and more reliable for future generations. There 's a great sense of pride about what we 're achieving at HS2, including the legacy that we're creating. ”
The ability to earn, learn and gain nationally recognised qualifications adds to the appeal of an apprenticeship and is what attracted HS2 's 1,000th apprentice, Jessica Miles, to start a new career.
In 2022, 30-year-old Jessica joined HS2 's construction partner Align joint venture on a two-year Level 5 HR Consultant apprenticeship, where she combines work with study at West Herts College.
Jessica said: “It just goes to show that it 's never too late to follow your dreams. I was 30 when I started my apprenticeship, but my college education meant I was able to begin studying at Level 5, so I 'm on track to gain a fantastic qualification that will really boost my career.
“I 'm working on the biggest infrastructure project in Europe, helping to recruit a talented workforce to deliver the amazing construction challenges I see in front of me every day. I 'm not just building my career, but helping thousands of others too, and we 're all working together to deliver this once in a lifetime project. It 's amazing! ”
Investing in skills, employment and education is one of seven strategic objectives set out by HS2 to ensure the project leaves a lasting skills legacy. Through initiatives set out in its Skills, Employment and Education Strategy, HS2 is making great progress in its bid to upskill and create careers, not just jobs, for the thousands of people already on board.
For more information about careers opportunities with HS2, visit hs2.org.uk/careers
Pictured: Rail Minister Huw Merriman and HS2's 1000th apprentice Jessica Miles