Students secure paid summer placements on HS2

University students will boost their skills, experience and income this summer thanks to a new paid placement scheme being delivered by HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI.

Thirty students from eleven universities, including University of Birmingham, University of Manchester and University College London, have been selected to start the 8-week programme supporting HS2’s construction.

The placements were advertised to undergraduates who are from the Midlands or studying subjects at Midlands-based universities that align to the skillsets Balfour Beatty VINCI needs to build its 90km section of the HS2 route.

Julie Venn-Morton, Skills Manager at HS2 said: “Universities along the HS2 route are producing some of the very best in graduate talent, and it’s vital that we work together so students feel encouraged to live, work and stay in the region – taking full advantage of the many career opportunities that HS2 is creating now and into the future.”

“This is a first-class opportunity, with a promising pathway into employment on HS2 for those taking part.”

Balfour Beatty VINCI recognise the value of harnessing local talent and its new undergraduate scheme builds on existing partnerships with universities in the Midlands. It has already supported students from Birmingham City University into employment in their chosen subject straight after graduating, and it hopes more students will now benefit as a result.

Shilpi Akbar, Head of Stakeholders and Communities at Balfour Beatty VINCI said:

“HS2 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young people who want to learn new skills and get ahead in their careers. That’s why I’m proud to welcome 30 students into the business for eight weeks over the summer.

“This programme is set to benefit BBV too, as the students will bring new ideas and fresh ways of thinking, providing a meaningful contribution to the project.”

Among those joining the summer placement programme this week is Abdillah Masoud from Coventry who is studying Civil Engineering at University College London.

Abdillah, who’ll work alongside BBV’s construction team in Warwickshire, said:

“Summer placements like this are great because I get to apply what I’ve learned at university in a real-life setting. I’m really looking forward to working on HS2 and experiencing the project for myself. I think this placement will massively benefit my future studies too.”

Seth Richold from Exeter who is studying Geology at the University of Birmingham said:

“Working with people as part of a team and becoming more familiar with office and construction site environments are just some of the experiences that’ll be great to get under my belt this summer.”

Also joining the programme is Habeebah Ahmed from Walsall who is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester.

Habeebah said: “I’m really excited to be joining this project, as I’ll actually get to spend the summer working on something I’m interested in that supports my studies. It’s an opportunity I’m really grateful for, because of all the things I’m hoping to learn.”

For more information about careers and training opportunities on HS2, visit hs2.org.uk/careers

Download article