Twelve West Midlands students have secured apprenticeships on the High Speed 2 (HS2) project after completing their T-Level qualifications. The successful candidates from Walsall College and Thomas Telford UTC will join Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands.
These apprenticeships, lasting up to five years, will combine advanced studies with practical experience on Britain’s new high-speed railway. The students will work on various aspects of the HS2 project, which involves constructing 225 kilometres of high-speed track between London and Birmingham.
HS2 presents significant engineering challenges, including:
- Tracks capable of supporting trains running at up to 360 km/h
- Implementation of advanced signalling systems
- 25kV AC overhead electrification
- Construction of new stations and tunnels, including the 16-kilometer Chiltern tunnel
- Environmental engineering, such as the 3.4-kilometer Colne Valley Viaduct
Above:George Spruce, Chelsea Stonach and Jacob White
Chelsea Stonach, 18, from Wolverhampton, who will start a degree apprenticeship in Civil Engineering, said: “I’m really excited to begin my degree apprenticeship in civil engineering. I can’t think of a better project than HS2 to start with.”
George Spruce, 18, from Burntwood, who is set to begin a degree apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying, added, “My placement at BBV confirmed this was the path I wanted to take. Now, I can’t wait to start my degree apprenticeship in this field.”
BBV has supported the Construction – Design, Surveying and Planning T-Level since its introduction in 2020, partnering with several regional educational institutions.
Julie Venn-Morton, HS2’s Senior Legacy Manager for the West Midlands, said, “T-Levels do work and provide a great stepping stone to a career. We’re delighted as these students now begin apprenticeships with BBV, coming on board to help us build Britain’s new railway.”
This integration of T-Level graduates into the HS2 workforce represents a significant step in education and infrastructure development. It demonstrates the growing importance of technical education in preparing young people for careers in major engineering projects
TLDR:
- 12 West Midlands T-Level graduates secure HS2 apprenticeships
- Apprentices will work on high-speed rail engineering while pursuing degree apprenticeships
- HS2 project involves 225km of track, new stations, and complex technical challenges
- Industry leaders praise T-Levels as an effective pathway to engineering careers
