HS2 roadshow to highlight jobs and skills opportunities

Ahead of its arrival into Birmingham, the team leading the design and construction of Britain 's new railway, HS2, is hitting the streets with a brand-new community roadshow.

The roadshow team will visit towns and cities from north to south this summer, as part of a bumper programme of community-focused activity highlighting the thousands of jobs, skills, training and new business opportunities that HS2 is creating.

HS2 's roadshow will make three stops in Birmingham.

The events will allow residents and visitors to find out more about the plans already underway to bring Britain 's new low carbon railway to the second city.

The first stop will be at one of the largest and most diverse festivals in the city - the Simmer Down Festival - which takes place in Handsworth Park on Sunday 22 August.

The outdoor event is a free family fun-day, which celebrates Birmingham 's rich cultural diversity.

HS2 's roadshow will centre around a giant cubed-shaped exhibition space, with the events team on hand to advise and support those looking for a new career, training or business opportunity.

The second stop, on Saturday, 4 September, is the Legacy Centre of Excellence in Aston, Europe 's largest independent Black-owned Business and Arts Centre.

HS2 will work alongside community representatives to discuss how HS2 's arrival is spearheading regeneration and development projects right across the city.

Visitors will be encouraged to get on board with HS2 and find out more about the latest jobs, education, business and training opportunities that the project is creating.

The final stop on the Birmingham leg of the roadshow will be on Saturday 25 September, when the HS2 team steps out to show its support for one of the city 's busiest and most colourful events - Birmingham Pride.

Building on the success of its attendance in 2019, HS2 will join the Pride parade and engage with local communities to champion the thousands of jobs that its construction partner for the West Midlands region expects to create.

Tony Weston, head of projects and events at HS2, said: “We want Britain 's new railway to be designed and built by communities as diverse as those it will serve.

“We have an important role to play in the country 's economic recovery, so it 's more important than ever that people know how to get on board and benefit from the careers, training and new business opportunities that HS2 is creating.

“Our roadshows will allow us to get to the heart of communities and we 're looking forward to sharing information about our plans and letting people know how to keep in touch. ”

HS2 has set itself ambitious targets to bring local people and underrepresented groups into employment, whilst simultaneously creating opportunities for small and medium-sized companies in the local area to grow.

To help achieve its aim, HS2 is teaming up with Birmingham-based SME Legacy Consultants to bolster its engagement with young people and BAME communities right across the city.

Nathan Dennis, senior consultant for Legacy Consultants said: “HS2 is bringing a whole host of exciting jobs, skills and training opportunities to people across our region.

“We want to make sure that our communities are not only aware of how to access them but are actively encouraged to apply.

“We know that many people in inner-city Birmingham may not have considered a career with HS2 before. Our engagement teams cannot wait to showcase what 's available to them. ”

For more information about HS2 's roadshow programme, click here.