Over 5,000 previously unemployed people have started working on HS2, marking a significant milestone for the project
Latest statistics show that another 199 unemployed HS2 jobs were added in Q1 2025, bringing the total to 5,023.
This has always been a key element to the HS2 Skills, Employment and Educations Strategy.
HS2 is investing in future talent
The strategy acts as a plan to at least partially address the construction skills shortage, which to date has trained 33,000 people to work on the project.
The route has come to be known as the West Midlands – London growth corridor due to the jobs and housing being created around HS2. Tier one contractors have consistently worked with education providers and supply chains to create training academies and bootcamps.
Work has also been undertaken with the Department for Work and Pensions as well as local councils and employment support services to determine where the highest levels of need are.
Passage into training programmes have been shown to be secured in as little as two weeks.
“I’m proud to have met with some of the men and women that have benefitted from our employment programmes.”
Mark Wild, CEO at HS2 Ltd said: “Our targeted focus on training and upskilling has helped over 5,000 unemployed people to secure work on HS2. This is a significant achievement and a further indication of the economic prize that HS2 brings.
“In my first few months, I’m proud to have met with some of the men and women that have benefitted from our employment programmes. HS2 is creating new opportunities for people now, and that will continue in the years ahead.”
Anthony Jordan, a HS2 worker who went through the employment programme, said: “It’s great to be part of such a huge project and it’s satisfying to know that I’m playing a part in its delivery. Not only has it been a career change, but it has also improved me as a person.”
Cimara Gregory, another HS2 unemployed job recipient, said: “There are still misconceptions about construction being a male-dominated sector, so I was hesitant at first, especially as an older person re-entering the workforce, but I needn’t have worried.
“My skills were matched to an administration role, and I’ve been supported throughout. Now I’m eager to explore how the project can help me to progress my career.”
Steve Boyle, another HS2 worker, said: “With no previous construction experience, I never imagined I’d get the opportunity to start a new career – especially in my 50s. Three years on, and I haven’t looked back, this has been a great move for me.”
The post Record number of unemployed HS2 jobs appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
