How HS2 is Shaping the Future of Careers in UK Infrastructure

HS2 Ltd, the company behind Britain's new high-speed railway, is ramping up its investment in young talent by welcoming a fresh group of apprentices and graduates. This initiative is part of a broader effort to build a skilled workforce for the country's largest transport infrastructure project.

A Growing Commitment to Youth Development

This week, 21 new starters embark on a two-year program, gaining hands-on experience on this monumental project. Annually, HS2 Ltd brings in young professionals, and over the past eight years, they have onboarded 209 apprentices and 125 graduates.

To date, an additional 1,713 individuals have secured apprenticeships with HS2's construction partners and suppliers, bringing the total across the project to 1,922. This progress puts HS2 on track to meet its goal of creating 2,000 apprenticeships, highlighting the diverse career paths available.

This sustained investment is crucial for addressing the UK's skills gap and fostering a legacy of skilled workers for future infrastructure endeavors.

Insights from HS2 Leadership

Karen Davis, HS2 Ltd's Head of Talent & Resourcing, emphasized: "Currently, 34,000 people are driving the construction of HS2 in highly skilled roles across various sectors. The project's scale and complexity offer a unique learning environment with exceptional opportunities for ambitious young individuals seeking successful careers."

Graduate and Apprentice Programs in Detail

Fourteen graduates have joined HS2 Ltd's 2025 program, rotating every six months through departments like commercial quantity surveying, project management, environment, and programme controls to expand their expertise.

Seven apprentices have started their journeys: five in a Level 4 Project Management apprenticeship and two in Level 4 Construction and Quantity Surveying apprenticeships.

Personal Stories from New Recruits

• Lewis Squires, 19, from Wolverhampton: "I'm excited to begin my project management apprenticeship. HS2's benefits for communities are a major draw for me."
• Taiwo Omitoyin, 28, from Birmingham: "With a Master's in Humanitarian Engineering, I'm passionate about infrastructure's positive impact. My summer placement with Balfour Beatty VINCI prepared me for this graduate program."
• Ben Norton, 24, from southwest London: "After my Real Estate Master's, joining HS2's graduate program in commercial quantity surveying at Old Oak Common station feels like a perfect career step."

For more information on careers with HS2, visit hs2.org.uk/careers.