HS2 hosts national jobs scheme launch in Warwickshire
YOUNG people and those looking for a career change were given a tour of a major HS2 site in Warwickshire at the launch of a national jobs scheme.
HS2 Ltd marked the unveiling of Open Doors 2023 with a behind-thescenes event at its huge Bascote site near Leamington.
The launch at the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel north portal was attended by more than 25 young people from colleges in Warwickshire and Walsall. They learned about the types of careers available on HS2, which supports nearly 30,000 jobs, including over 950 apprentices.
HS2 has partnered with Build UK, a leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry, to offer up construction sites for next year’s Open Doors scheme which will run across the country from March 13 to 18. A wide range of organisations will take part offering site visits with projects ranging from tunnels and skyscrapers to offices and factories to highlight the off-site roles across the sector.
HS2’S Midlands contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) has used a tunnel boring machine called Dorothy to dig a mile-long portal under Long Itchington’s ancient woodland and is preparing to begin a second bore to run parallel to the first.
Neil Johnson, BBV’S tunnels delivery director, and Doug Barnett, HS2’S senior project manager, talked at the launch about the massive tunnelling operation taking place there.
Mr Barnett said: “It was great to share my own experience of working in the construction sector with the students on site today, some of whom are already starting their training on construction-related courses. They were very enthusiastic about their first-hand experience of one of HS2’S largest construction sites, and the opportunity to gain unique insight from some of the people working on the project.”
Suzannah Nichol MBE, Chief Executive of Build UK, said Open Doors offered young people and potential jobseekers an experience they wouldn’t usually have.
“Reading a job description on a website is one thing,” she said. “But there is nothing like seeing a busy construction site in action or a new building close to completion.
“It’s a unique opportunity to spend some time on site, see what goes on and maybe even see a job you would like to do. We are really excited to be working with HS2 to showcase the positive impact of construction, along with the diverse range of people and occupations that come together to bring a project to life.”
In addition to familiar site-based construction roles, many of the positions available are based externally, with companies requiring a back-office support network, front-of-house sales teams and cutting-edge technical roles.
But with construction needing to recruit over 53,000 new entrants every year for the next five years to maintain output, attracting young people to the industry is essential.
More than 10 sites have registered, but more will be added and accessible throughout Open Doors Week. Organisations interested in opening a site to the public can email info@opendoors. construction to find out more. Groups and individuals interested in visiting a site can book from January 9, but large groups should make contact early via the Open Doors website.