HS2 has partnered with Build UK, the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry, to support the ‘Open Doors 2023’ programme, running from Monday 13 - Saturday 18 March 2023.
Open Doors takes young people, and those looking for a change of career, behind the site hoardings to experience construction first-hand. HS2 is offering opportunities to explore its sites between London and the West Midlands, including the Chilterns Tunnel south portal, Curzon Street Station, Old Oak Common Station, Wendover Dean Viaduct and Willesden Logistics Hub.
HS2’s construction partners providing the site visits include Align (formed of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick), BBV (Balfour Beatty VINCI), BBVS (Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA), EKFB (Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction & BAM Nuttall) and SCS (Skanska, Costain & STRABAG).
Rebecca Young, HS2’s Skills and Employment Supply Chain Manager said:
“We’re delighted to partner with Build UK to give young people, across the country, the chance to see how we’re building Britain’s new railway.
“For those interested in a career in construction, this is a great opportunity to meet the people building our new stations, viaducts and tunnels. With over 900 apprentices already on board and plans to recruit hundreds more in the months and years ahead, we hope to inspire the next generation to play a part in future phases of HS2.”
Suzannah Nichol MBE, Build UK’s Chief Executive, said:
“Open Doors is run for the industry, by Build UK, and aims to recruit the next generation by showing them what goes on behind the site hoardings. We are delighted to be partnering with HS2, which is opening 16 fantastic sites across the country, including tunnels, viaducts, stations and training centres. This variety is what Open Doors is all about and will show visitors just how many opportunities and interesting careers there are in construction.”
In November 2022, HS2 hosted Build UK on its Long Itchington Wood Tunnel North Portal Site near Leamington Spa to launch ‘Open Doors 2023’, attended by over 25 young people from Walsall and Warwickshire Colleges. This is also one of the sites opening its doors during the week-long programme in March.
The events will give visitors a unique insight into a career in construction and an introduction to the fantastic range of opportunities available in the sector. In addition to familiar site-based construction roles, many of the positions available are based externally, with companies requiring a back-office support network, front-of-house sales teams, and cutting-edge technical roles.
Highlighting some the opportunities on offer this summer, Emmanuel Rossignol, EKFB’s Programme Director, said:
“From learning more about our carbon-saving viaducts, environment projects and construction achievements to date - but also the jobs, apprenticeships and community outreach opportunities we are offering this year - there is something for everyone. This includes a visit to one of our many ecology sites that forms part of HS2's green corridor, the opportunity to have a go at virtually driving a piece of heavy machinery in one of our plants simulators and taking a mini-bus tour of one of our live sites to see the works taking place, amongst much more. We’re looking forward to welcoming guests to our construction sites across Bucks and Northants this March.”
Events will run throughout the week across sites spanning the length of the HS2 Phase One route including:
MONDAY
- BBV – Long Itchington North Portal
- BBVS – Old Oak Common
- Align – Chilterns South Portal Site
TUESDAY
- BBV – Cappers Lane
- SCS – Willesden Logistics Hub
- BBVS – Old Oak Common
- EKFB – Flannery Skills Hub
- EKFB – Wendover Dean Viaduct
- EKFB – West Street Compound
WEDNESDAY
- BBV – Curzon Street
- BBV – A46 Compound
- SCS – Willesden Logistics Hub
- BBVS – Old Oak Common
- EKFB – Flannery Skills Hub
- EKFB – Wendover Dean Viaduct
- EKFB – West Street Compound
THURSDAY
- BBVS – Old Oak Common
- EKFB – ELITE training
- EKFB – Flannery Skills Hub
- EKFB – Wendover Dean Viaduct
- EKFB – West Street Compound
- Align – Chilterns South Portal Site
FRIDAY
- BBVS – Old Oak Common
If you are interested in finding out more about the construction industry and what it has to offer you can book your place here: https://opendoors.construction/#home
