HS2 Employment Boom: Rail Skills & UK Infrastructure

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Introduction

According to figures released on 28 August 2025, 168 previously unemployed individuals have secured employment on the HS2 project within the last three months. A total of 5,191 jobseekers have benefited from specialist training and support to help them progress into new careers on the project.

Employment Figures

The data indicates a consistent increase in the number of unemployed individuals entering employment on HS2. The job brokerage model, employed by HS2, is credited with this success. This model collaborates with the Department for Work and Pensions, the National Careers Service, local authorities, and employment support services along the route to identify and connect unemployed candidates with available positions.

Training Initiatives and Partnerships

HS2 collaborates with its supply chain, further education colleges, and specialist training providers to establish training centers and skills academies. These programs, located from central London through to Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, and the West Midlands, aim to address nationwide skills shortages. The Construction Industry Training Board anticipates that an additional 240,000 construction workers will be required over the next five years to meet government housing and growth targets. Rebecca Young, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Skills and Inclusion, highlighted the benefits of the pre-employment training model.

Apprenticeships and Career Progression

Thousands of candidates across the West Midlands, London, and the Chilterns have undergone fast-track pre-employment training courses. The training programs provide the skills and accreditation required for various roles, both in offices and on-site. The latest figures show that 1,922 people have now started apprenticeships on HS2, covering levels from intermediate to degree. In the last quarter alone, 57 new apprenticeships began, taking HS2 closer to its target of creating 2,000 apprenticeship opportunities. The apprenticeships combine work with study to achieve recognised qualifications aligned to their chosen career paths.

Project Impact and Future Outlook

The construction of HS2 currently supports 34,000 jobs nationwide. Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd’s CEO, is leading a project reset to ensure delivery at the lowest reasonable cost. Updated cost and schedule ranges will be presented to the government later this year. Once complete, HS2 will improve connectivity between London and the West Midlands and free up capacity on the congested southern section of the West Coast Main Line for more local and commuter services.

Conclusion

HS2’s training programs and partnerships have facilitated employment for thousands, with a focus on apprenticeships and pre-employment training. The project is progressing, with ongoing efforts to manage costs and schedules, while aiming to improve connectivity and economic growth.

Company Summary

HS2 Ltd: HS2 Ltd is the company responsible for the development and construction of the High Speed 2 railway line in the United Kingdom.

Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV): Balfour Beatty VINCI is a construction partner working on the HS2 project.

EKFB: EKFB is a construction partner working on the HS2 project.

SCS: SCS is HS2’s London construction partner.

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