Press release

HS2 supports unemployed people back into work

HS2바카라 사이트檚 drive to upskill a new generation of workers to design and deliver Britain바카라 사이트檚 new railway has now supported over 250 unemployed people into work.

• From: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited
• Published: 27 February 2019

• 256 unemployed people enter into training and employment on HS2
• 2,000 businesses have now won work and 7,000 job roles are already supported

HS2 Ltd바카라 사이트檚 procurement models encourage a step change in the approach to skills and employment, ensuring supply chains work flexibly to provide opportunities for the unemployed, disadvantaged and under-represented groups, including women and BAME communities. As a result, HS2 is helping individuals return to work, start new career pathways and enter the world of work for the very first time.

Kate Myers, HS2 Ltd바카라 사이트檚 Head of Skills, Education and Employment, said:

HS2바카라 사이트檚 legacy will extend far beyond the revolutionary rail network it creates, thanks to the skills, employment and education opportunities it is opening up for people right across the country.

HS2 is much more than just a railway and we are committed to ensuring that the 30,000 people we바카라 사이트檒l need to design and build it represent a diverse, talented and highly skilled workforce.

Ensuring that unemployed individuals receive training and support to help them get on the job ladder is one of a number of commitments that HS2 Ltd made when it launched its last year.

Graduate engineer, Andreea Cojocaru, joined LM JV in June 2018.

The sheer scale of HS2 coupled with the programme바카라 사이트檚 multiple delivery phases, which range from ground preparation works, design and major construction, means there will be a wide variety of jobs, training and placement opportunities available right across the UK. These could be as diverse as ecology, archaeology, design management and civil engineering.

In the West Midlands, HS2 Ltd바카라 사이트檚 early works contractor LM joint venture (JV) and main works contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) JV are leading by example. LM JV is playing a key role in ensuring that the Midlands retains its local talent and attracts more women into the construction sector, by reaching out to local graduates who have struggled to find work.

Graduate engineer, Andreea Cojocaru, joined LM JV in June 2018, having graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Birmingham the previous year. Andreea is now part of the design management team focusing on the design of environmental mitigation sites to ensure that species, including great crested newts, are protected and relocated as construction of HS2 gets underway. Andreea said:

This is a really challenging role, but I am learning so much and feel like I have a definite advantage over my peer group. It바카라 사이트檚 great to be part of the team working on HS2 and I바카라 사이트檓 delighted to be starting my career working on such a transformational project.

Omar Khalid studied Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham City University and joined LM JV as assistant digital engineer in January 2018. Having struggled to find work on leaving university, Omar began volunteering before following the graduate route into employment on Europe바카라 사이트檚 biggest construction project. Omar said:

This role has given me the best possible start to my future. LM JV embraces, supports and promotes diversity and I바카라 사이트檓 proud to be part of a team that draws on experience from across the world.

Having struggled to find work on leaving university, Omar is now assistant digital engineer at LM JV.

LM JV Skills, Employment and Education Manager, Claire Brough, explains:

At LM JV, we바카라 사이트檝e helped over 25 people into employment so far, from all sorts of different backgrounds. HS2 is a fantastic vehicle to create employment, and build skills and knowledge, and we바카라 사이트檙e proud to be part of it.

HS2 Ltd바카라 사이트檚 main works contractor BBV JV is also playing a key role in ensuring that local people, struggling to find work, secure employment on the project.

After job hunting for over 12 months, Paul-Kelly Blazquez joined BBV JV at their head office in Birmingham as a receptionist in July 2018 and has now started a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration. Paul-Kelly said:

The experience and skills I바카라 사이트檓 gaining has lifted my confidence level from a 1 to a 10. I have learnt so much. I know I바카라 사이트檓 making a valuable contribution and it바카라 사이트檚 great that I can be open about my disability.

When you바카라 사이트檙e out of work for a long period of time it can be really difficult to find a new role. Thanks to the HS2 project, I바카라 사이트檝e finally found a job where the work is exciting and I know that I바카라 사이트檒l progress as a result.

For more information about careers and opportunities, visit the .

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Published 27 February 2019