HS2’s giant tunnelling machine drives job opportunities across the capital

As HS2’s giant tunnel boring machine (TBM) sets off on it’s slow, steady five-mile journey under the capital, it’s creating more than a sizeable tunnel.

The West Ruislip to Greenford stretch of work has sparked a variety of training and employment opportunities for residents in seven London boroughs.

HS2’s construction partner, Skanska Costain STRABAG (SCS), is working in partnership with Danny Sullivan Group, Camden Council and TheForge@ParkRoyal (part of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation) to deliver a bespoke training and work placement programme especially for residents who live in Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

The programme, which lasts three weeks, is being delivered in conjunction with West London College and United Colleges Group, and will be followed by a four-week paid work placement, allowing candidates to get a real feel for what it’s like to work in a construction environment. They will have the opportunity to work with the team operating the enormous 2,000 tonne TBM, and make their mark on this iconic transport project.

Candidates will end the course with vital construction health and safety accreditations, and also the possibility of a role – SCS contractor Danny Sullivan Group will be looking out for standout candidates throughout the programme, and will invest in providing tunnelling operative apprenticeships to those eager to earn, learn and progress into this specialist engineering role. Throughout the entirety of the project, SCS will launch five more TBMs, which between them will nibble away 26 miles of tunnels under the capital. You can read more about the project here.

Ambrose Quashie, HS2’s skills manager for Greater London said: “We’re teaming up with some brilliant partners, as we know they are well placed to ensure that local people, who are most in need, benefit from these unique training and employment opportunities on HS2.”

“Tunnelling is a highly-skilled career for life, and this is a fantastic opportunity to join the team tasked with constructing some of the most challenging sections of the whole HS2 route.”

Frankie Jones, skills employment and education manager at Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture said: “HS2 is a project for future generations, and this extends to inspiring the next generation of the future stars in our industry. It is great to be able to offer a unique opportunity for people to get involved in tunnelling, whilst learning about our programme of construction and helping us construct the railway.”

Billy Seago, manager at TheForge@ParkRoyal said: “We’re excited to join HS2, SCS and wider partners to deliver this important training opportunity. The training programme offers a fantastic opportunity for residents to gain skills to be an important part of a ground-breaking project like HS2, while also being paid.”

“TheForge @ParkRoyal has already placed more than 150 west Londoners into training and employment and we encourage residents to consider this opportunity and get in touch with us to find out more.”  

Image credit: HS2 Ltd

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