The HS2 workforce has hit 30,000 for the first time following growth over the last quarter, according to new data
The HS2 workforce has grown by 455 between July and September 2023, taking total employment numbers to 30,204 – the highest to date.
The boost in employment follows several significant works across the Midlands. Three bridge moves were completed in the area in just one month.
HS2 completed their longest green tunnel in Northamptonshire and added six tunnel boring machines to project across the Chilterns, London, and Warwickshire.
Helping people out of unemployment
Over the last quarter, 298 unemployed people underwent bespoke training programmes before starting new careers at HS2. In total, the number of formerly unemployed people now working on HS2 has hit 3,826.
HS2 has also created 81 new apprentices between July and September, taking the total number of new apprentices to 1,380.
“We made a cast iron commitment to ensuring HS2’s construction would support thousands of young people, and the unemployed, into meaningful careers. Three years into our heavy civils works, we’ve achieved just that,” said Natalie Penrose, head of legacy at HS2.
“We remain focused on creating 2,000 apprenticeships and helping as many people as possible to upskill, retrain and start a new career,” she added.
The number of UK businesses involved in the HS2 supply chain also increased over the last quarter, with 144 acquiring works on the project. 3,236 UK firms have now supplied goods, services, and materials to HS2.
Hearing from the HS2 workforce
One of the companies that has benefitted from HS2’s vast supply chain is Telford-based Freyssinet, which played an essential role in the West Midlands bridge installation works.
“In the West Midlands alone, Freyssinet’s involvement with HS2 includes technical assistance for the installation of bridge prestressing, the supply of 1000+ bridge bearings and the creation of a training academy, plus three significant structure slides including the now award-winning Marston box slide over the M42 motorway,” commented Pascal Mercier, managing director of Freyssinet.
“These projects alone will enable the creation of 100+ qualified jobs from trainee to project manager levels. We are proud to be part of this national endeavour to improve the transport network, which is already showing a positive socio-economic impact for the growth of opportunities and jobs in the region,” he concluded.
