09 Feb OPDC’S skills service supports six West London people into work with HS2

The Forge@ParkRoyal – Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation’s (OPDC’s)  dedicated business support, recruitment and upskilling service – has supported six local people into employment with HS2.

HS2 (High Speed 2) is a railway line that will link the biggest cities in Scotland with Manchester, Birmingham and London. It is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and the most important economic and social regeneration project in decades.

The six candidates put forward by Forge@ParkRoyal have been working on the HS2 Tunnelling Pre-employment Programme. They completed a paid work trial with HS2 construction partner, Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture (SCS JV) and its contractor Danny Sullivan Group and as a result of this work trial, they will all now begin full time roles.

Their achievements were marked at a celebratory event in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour, Westminster City Hall, along with those from other work schemes from places along the HS2 route.

The candidates were praised for their commitment during the work trial programme and were each presented with certificates, marking their achievements.

Malachi Robinson, 18, from Hammersmith and Fulham, (pictured left) who will begin his tunnelling operative apprenticeship with Danny Sullivan Group, said: “When I left Sixth Form I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and then I met Ambrose from HS2 at a careers event for young black men. We kept in touch, and he let me know about the work trial, and from day one I loved it.

“I can’t wait to play a part in building the Euston tunnels. I want to work my way up the construction ladder and get my black hat, hopefully working as a foreman or site supervisor.”

A workforce of nearly 30,000 are already helping to build HS2 between the North, the Midlands and the South, and SCS JV forecasts that it will need hundreds more people to help construct the network of tunnels on the HS2 route to its southern terminus at Euston.

Ruairi Coffey, Head of Training, Skills and People Development at Danny Sullivan Group said: “This programme is a fantastic example of how collaboration can have a real impact on the local communities we operate in. Being engaged from the outset and actively supported by HS2 and SCS JV throughout, it’s fantastic to have secured long-term positions for so many of the candidates.”

“This is by far the most successful employability programme we have been involved in. The positive feedback from all candidates regarding their experience is testament to the integrated delivery approach we adopted. We are delighted to have all these individuals on board with Danny Sullivan Group and look forward to supporting them to develop long term and successful careers in this industry.”

Frankie Jones, Skills and Employment manager at SCS JV said: “This programme has shown what a huge difference we can make, by working together as contractors, with HS2 and with our local stakeholders. We have a great opportunity to make a difference and we are committed to ensuring that the people and communities on whose doorsteps we are building Britain’s new railway benefit, not just today but for years to come.

“The candidates we have had the pleasure of supporting on this programme are a fantastic example of how we are bringing that commitment to life and they have a great opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience on the biggest infrastructure project in Europe. A huge well done to them all.”