Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA (BBVS), Skanska Costain STRABAG (SCS) and Mace Dragados (MD) have joined forces with Brent Council and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation to help people living in West London access training and secure a job on HS2.
The businesses will attend Wembley Jobs Fair on Thursday, 21 July. The event, held at Wembley Stadium, starts at 10:00 and finishes at 16:00.
The HS2 contractors will share details of their career opportunities, offering support with applications, including a masterclass to help people access a job on HS2.
Ambrose Quashie, HS2’s Skills Manager for Greater London said: “With the construction of brand new high speed stations and a vast tunnelling programme ahead of us, there’s never been a better time for job seekers and career changers to step forward and discover what HS2 can offer.
“Our contractors are recruiting for hundreds of London-based roles at all levels and that includes opportunities for people with no previous industry experience, as full training is provided. I’d encourage anyone who is out of work to come and see us.”
HS2 works with specialist employment support services, including Brent Council and TheForge@ParkRoyal, which is funded by HS2’s Business and Local Economy Fund, to help people from disadvantaged and under-represented groups secure work experience and long-term employment.
Ambrose added: “Our drive to leave a lasting skills legacy means we go the extra mile to support those who are struggling to find work. We’re confident, with the help of our employment partners, that we can help people to kickstart their career.”
TheForge@ParkRoyal helped 23-year-old Niamh Meehan from Brent get her career with HS2 on track. Niamh graduated from university just as the pandemic took hold in 2020 — so, understandably, she was finding it difficult to secure a job in her preferred field of human resources.
TheForge@ParkRoyal coaches suggested that an apprenticeship would allow Niamh to continue studying, while earning, and enable her to secure a professional CIPD qualification – with the cost met by her employer.
Niamh, now one year into her Level 5 People Management apprenticeship with HS2’s construction partner BBVS, feels it’s the best career decision she could have made.
She said: “I quickly realised that although I was a graduate, I didn’t have the professional qualifications or experience to move into the kind of job I wanted. I’d never have considered an apprenticeship, as I had no idea about all the different levels and subjects that they cover.
“To be starting my career on HS2 and getting paid to learn at the same time is fantastic, particularly after the cost of studying for a degree. Now I’ll have a professional qualification and two years’ experience working on Europe’s biggest engineering project under my belt, and I know that’s really going to help my future career development.”
David Lunts, CEO of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation said: “The Forge@ParkRoyal has helped over 130 local people into well-paid jobs and the construction of HS2 provides more fantastic opportunities for local people to find employment – the Wembley Jobs Fair offers the perfect chance for local people to find out how.”
Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy & Citizen Experience at Brent Council said: “We are delighted that Wembley Jobs Fair is back, and this year is set to be our biggest and best event yet!
“We have a brilliant line-up of businesses taking part, including HS2 and their construction partners, who have hundreds of exciting opportunities available from apprenticeships right through to full-time employment.
“In Brent, we have one of the lowest average household incomes in the capital, with earnings 16% below the London average.
“We know the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is hitting our low paid workers the hardest and we are committed to supporting our residents in every way we can to find good quality, secure work.
“So, whether you’re looking for a new challenge, interested in brushing up on your interview skills or attending a career workshop – don’t miss out!”
To register your attendance for the Wembley Jobs Fair, visit https://bit.ly/WEMBLEYJOBSFAIR or for more information, contact brentworks.brent.gov.uk
For information about the specialist employment support available from TheForge@ParkRoyal and how to access a job on HS2 visit theforgeparkroyal.london
For details of all the latest vacancies and opportunities to work on HS2 visit hs2.org.uk/careers
