The HS2 roadshow will visit towns and cities from north to south this summer, as part of a bumper programme of community-focused activity highlighting the thousands of jobs, skills, training and new business opportunities that HS2 is creating.
The HS2 roadshow will make two stops in Staffordshire with pop up events scheduled to take place in Stafford town centre on 12th August and Trentham Garden Centre on 14th August. The events will allow residents and visitors to find out more about the plans already underway to bring Britain’s new low carbon railway to the county.
Becoming a high-speed rail destination presents huge opportunities for Stafford. HS2 is already spearheading the creation of exciting local growth plans, including the proposed regeneration of a 28-hectare site next to the town’s railway station. The Stafford Station Gateway Masterplan sets out plans for hundreds of new homes, leisure facilities and enhanced walking and cycle routes through to the town centre.
Experts from all areas of the HS2 project will be on hand at each roadshow event, armed with a wealth of resources to experience during the event or to take away. So, if you’re looking for a new career, or want to find out how your business might benefit from one of 400,000 contract opportunities generated from the first phase of construction works, then head down to the roadshow to find out more.
Councillor Frances Beatty, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning at Stafford Borough Council, said:
“I welcome the chance for residents and local businesses to find out more about the potential job and business opportunities that may be available with the construction of the new High-Speed Line.
“The HS2 information roadshows have been a hit with employers and job seekers when they have visited other areas of the country and I’d encourage local people to take advantage of their presence in Stafford and Trentham.
“Whatever your view of the project, HS2 is already bringing economic growth to the region, with substantial contracts on offer and a wide range of employment opportunities.
“This is the chance for employers in the borough to go after supply chain contracts, and local people to secure high-skilled jobs, in an impressive range across the sectors – for example construction, engineering, food and catering, and landscaping.”
The roadshow’s first stop will be at the Walking Street Market in Stafford town centre on Thursday, 12th August. The outdoor event, which starts at 16:00 through to 21:00, will centre around HS2’s giant cubed-shaped exhibition space. HS2’s events team will be on hand to advise and support those looking for a new career, training or business opportunity.
The second stop on Saturday, 14th August is an outdoor event at Trentham Garden Centre which will take place from 10:00 until 18:00. Local residents can find out about funding for local projects through HS2’s community and environment (CEF) and business and enterprise (BLEF) schemes, as well as learning how to get on board with the 30,000 jobs the project is supporting, alongside upcoming business opportunities.
Tony Weston, Head of Projects and Events at HS2 said:
“We want Britain’s new railway to be designed and built by communities as diverse as those it will serve.
“We have an important role to play in the country’s economic recovery, so it’s more important than ever that people know how to get on board and benefit from the careers, training and new business opportunities that HS2 is creating.
“Our roadshows will allow us to get to the heart of communities and we’re looking forward to sharing information about our plans and letting people know how to keep in touch.”
HS2 is already playing an integral role in the Government’s drive to build back better from the pandemic. Over 16,000 people are currently employed in jobs supporting construction of the railway. And as HS2’s journey North begins in earnest, following the green light from Government to extend the railway to Crewe, HS2 will help to level up Britain by spreading prosperity and growth right across the regions.
In early 2022, or sooner if possible, HS2 Ltd will submit a hybrid Bill to parliament seeking powers to extend the HS2 network to Manchester. This will improve connectivity for millions more people in the Midlands and the North – right up to Scotland, creating even more opportunities for local people to secure jobs and for British businesses to win work. It’s estimated that construction of HS2 will support over 30,000 jobs and 400,000 contract opportunities – with small and medium sized enterprises expected to dominate the supply chain.
Declan Riddell, Stafford Chamber Manager said:
“HS2 is heading this way and will aim to grow the Staffordshire economy by creating highly skilled local jobs and apprentice opportunities for those leaving schools, colleges and universities. The local roadshows in Stafford and Trentham will be a great chance to find out more about these opportunities.”
For more information about HS2’s roadshow programme, visit hs2.org.uk/roadshow-2021
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