HS2 Ltd has reinforced its commitment to tackling the UK’s skills gap by welcoming a new cohort of apprentices and graduates. This investment is aimed at creating a lasting legacy of skilled workers for major infrastructure projects well into the future.
This week, 21 new starters began their two-year programme working on Britain’s largest transport infrastructure project. This annual intake brings the total number of young people taken on directly by HS2 Ltd over the last eight years to 209 apprentices and 125 graduates.
Including those employed by HS2’s construction partners and their suppliers, a total of 1,922 people have secured apprenticeships across the project to date. This puts the massive infrastructure programme firmly on track to reach its overall target of creating 2,000 apprenticeships, highlighting the diversity of careers on offer.
A Unique Learning Environment
The scale of HS2 is providing invaluable professional experience to the next generation of engineers and project managers.
Karen Davis, HS2 Ltd.’s Head of Talent & Resourcing said: “In total, 34,000 people are now behind the drive to build HS2, in highly skilled jobs that span a broad range of sectors. The scale and complexity of this British engineering feat provides a unique learning environment, with fantastic opportunities for ambitious young people who want to forge successful careers.”
The 2025 graduate programme welcomed 14 men and women who will be joining the commercial quantity surveying, project management, environment, and programme controls teams. Graduates will rotate across different departments every six months to broaden their knowledge.
A further seven youngsters secured places on the apprenticeship programme, with five commencing Level 4 apprenticeships in Project Management and two commencing Level 4 apprenticeships in Construction and Quantity Surveying.
Future Talent Ready for Impact
The new recruits expressed enthusiasm about contributing to a project of national significance and size.
Lewis Squires, 19, from Wolverhampton said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started in my project management apprenticeship. HS2 will deliver wide reaching benefits for people who live and work in Britain, and for me personally, being part of something that gives back to people is a real draw.”
For others, the graduate programme offers a direct route to applying advanced academic skills to real-world development.
Taiwo Omitoyin, 28, from Birmingham said: “I completed a Master’s degree in Humanitarian Engineering with Management, as I’m passionate about infrastructure development and the positive change this can make to people’s lives. I spent the summer on placement with HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI, which gave me a great insight into the project. Joining the graduate programme is an exciting next step.”
Ben Norton, 24, from southwest London said: “After completing my Master’s degree in Real Estate, HS2’s graduate programme felt like a great career move. I’ve always liked the rail sector and love the idea of playing a part in something for the future. I’ll be joining the commercial quantity surveying team, putting my cost control and project development skills into place as part of the team developing the new Old Oak Common superhub station in west London.”
