HS2: TRAINING ON THE JOB

HS2

TRAINING ON THE JOB

As one of the largest UK rail projects ever undertaken, HS2 is reliant on a deep reservoir of people power, and the mega-project is creating thousands of training opportunities for industry newcomers, as well with those already working in rail with a change of direction in mind.

Through delivery of Phase 1, HS2 aims to build a solid base of rail professionals, ready to drive the plan to completion and then go on to tackle the challenges of the future. Along with its project partners, it is engaging with communities to attract local talent by providing new training and career paths. 2022 has seen a number of new programs and milestones as HS2 forges onward, largely focused on the Midlands and London, where the most intensive work is currently going ahead.

Education partnerships

HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands and Warwickshire, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), announced in May that it had teamed up with five Further Education colleges to expand access to its free job-ready training programmes. The development followed in the footsteps of BBV’s successful partnership with South and City College Birmingham, which led to the creation of BBV’s dedicated Skills Academy in Bordesley Green, focusing on upskilling those out of work or looking for a new career.

To help more local people benefit and progress into employment on HS2, BBV joined forces with Warwickshire College Group, Birmingham Metropolitan College, Walsall College, Solihull College and University Centre, and City of Wolverhampton College. With the aim of training at least 600 new recruits who will then progress onto a paid work trial. Kingsbury Training centre.

Each college will deliver bespoke training programmes in line with the skills that BBV needs to support its construction of the HS2 network from Warwickshire to the centre of Birmingham and on to Staffordshire. In total, BBV expects to support around 7,000 jobs through its programme of work on HS2.

The training programmes will cover a broad range of specialist skills needed to support BBV’s construction works from steel fixing to formwork and concrete placing. Shilpi Akbar, head of stakeholders and communities at BBV said: “These new partnerships will allow us to expand the training programme we already offer and build on the success of our Skills Academy at South and City College which we launched last year.

“By working together with these colleges, we hope this move will encourage even more local people from across the region − particularly those who are currently unemployed – to pursue a career in the construction and infrastructure industry, as we help to deliver Britain’s new high-speed railway.”

Kingsbury Training centre

June saw BBV open the doors to its giant construction compound in Kingsbury, Warwickshire and revealed the scale of works underway ready to build one of the most complex sections of the HS2 route – the Delta Junction.

The site at Kingsbury is responsible for the production of almost 3,000 precision designed concrete segments, ready to create the network of nine viaducts that will form part of the Delta Junction, a triangular section of line where the new railway curves west towards Birmingham and runs north towards Crewe.

In total, 2,742 segments will be produced from materials mixed at the on-site batching plant and at peak production, the pre-cast yard is expected to turn out up to eight segments per day, weighing between 60 and 80 tonnes. During the manufacturing cycle, each segment will be lifted by a 54 metre-long gantry crane ahead of onward transport to nearby Water Orton and Coleshill ready for on-site assembly.

Each component part of the build requires a highly skilled workforce and BBV opted to locate its latest Skills Academy at the site to ensure its workforce is expertly trained for the programme of work ahead.

“Amongst the hive of construction activity, this site is also home to our new Kingsbury Skills Academy, which is already playing a key role in developing our people and making sure they have the right skills to help build HS2,” said Vicki Lovatt, BBV’s head of learning and development.

“It’s a great asset not only for the project, but for the region too, helping to upskill local communities and launch careers in construction and engineering.”

The Kingsbury Skills Academy opened its doors in February 2022 and over 9,000 hours of training and over 1,000 courses have already been delivered from its indoor and outdoor facilities, which include an off-road 4x4 driver safety range.

This is in addition to BBV’s first academy, based in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, which focuses on upskilling people who are out of work or looking for a new career and getting them ‘job-ready’ in just 4-6 weeks. From there, they transition to the Kingsbury Academy which focuses on delivering job-specific training, covering everything from working at height and in confined spaces to first aid and mental health awareness. Apprenticeship milestone

Close to 1000 individuals have now benefitted from career investment from investment by HS2 into their career development. Also in May, HS2 celebrated the start of its 900th apprentice, a major milestone towards its aim of employing 2000 apprentices.

Twenty-four-year-old Leon joined HS2’s London-based construction partner, Mace Dragados JV, after being made redundant from his job as an electrical engineering apprentice during the covid pandemic. In his bid to find work, Leon sought support from HS2’s job brokerage partner Camden Council and a fast-track referral from the King’s Cross Construction Skills Centre saw him job matched to an apprenticeship opportunity working on HS2.

The King’s Cross Construction Skills Centre supported Leon with his application and helped him to prepare for his interview, enabling him to secure a two-year Level Three Civil Engineering apprenticeship with Mace Dragados. Leon is now part of the team preparing the ground ready for construction of HS2’s new terminus station at Euston, and he combines the hands-on element of his apprenticeship with study towards a Civil Engineering degree at the University of London.

“It’s amazing to be part of the team building HS2 and transforming Euston into a new destination,” said Leon. “Civil engineering allows you to embrace advances in technology and address the changing needs of the population. It’s a fantastic career and I can’t wait to get started on the digital engineering and design aspect of the job next year.”

Award winning efforts

The positive impact of the opportunities on offer was plain to see at HS2’s Inspiration Awards, held at the Houses of Parliament on 4 July. 25-year-old Divine Makondele from Islington was crowned HS2 Apprentice of the Year Level 3 at the event which also recognised the efforts of contractors and their senior staff.

In September 2021, Divine secured a Level 2 Tunnelling Operative apprenticeship with TG Tunnelling, a tier two contractor working on behalf of Align JV. Just ten months later, she is part of the team working around the clock to operate the giant tunnel boring machines, Florence and Cecilia, that are excavating ten miles of tunnels beneath the Chiltern hills.

Divine has been hailed as an “inspiration” by her colleague, Darren Beard, a Segment Crane Operator at TG Tunnelling. “Of all the apprentices I have been helping to train,” he said, “Divine really stands out. The tunnelling industry is historically male dominated, but that doesn’t faze her in the slightest.

“I'm so thankful to everyone that has believed in me and supported me,” said Divine. “For me, infrastructure is everything, it's what builds society, and it doesn't get any bigger than HS2. This is such an amazing project and I want to see it right through to the end - to when those first trains run. I want to look back and tell my family and friends, and hopefully my kids, I was part of the team that built this. And I hope that more young women will be joining me too".

Divine was the overall winner in the Apprentice of the Year Level 3 and under category, but was one of two apprentices hailed for their outstanding contribution. 21-year-old Sam Arrowsmith from Stratford upon Avon took the award for Apprentice of the Year Level 4.

Sam began his Level 4 Associate Project Management apprenticeship at the height of the Covid pandemic in September 2020. With major construction projects given the green light to continue during lockdown restrictions, he seized the opportunity to play a leading role in HS2’s ‘Back to Better’ group, which implemented measures to ensure the thousands of people supporting HS2’s construction remained safe.

Sam’s dedication to the ‘Back to Better’ project didn’t detract from his day to day role in project management, so much so that he completed his two-year apprenticeship six months early and achieved the highest pass rate – 89% - amongst his fellow 2020 cohort.

On receiving his award from the HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson, Sam said: “It's a real honour to be recognised today and I'm so proud to have won this award. The last two years have flown by and now that I've finished my apprenticeship, I can't wait to get started in my new role as assistant project manager. HS2 has really opened doors for me and I'm so proud to be part of the team that is building HS2 in my home county of Warwickshire."

Ongoing opportunities

As we enter the second half of 2022, the provision of training continues apace. BBV, is currently offering exciting opportunities to trial a new career working on the giant tunnelling machines that will bore beneath the ground in Warwickshire and Birmingham. The 20-day trial, delivered in conjunction with Tunnelcraft, is the latest development in HS2’s drive to ensure that local people benefit from upskilling and employment openings.

The paid work trial is open to candidates aged 18 or over. During the placement, trainees will develop an understanding of all aspects of delivering complex tunnelling programmes, from the work that takes place in the pit top, the slurry treatment plant, and the mechanical and electrical works required.

“This work trial is the latest in a long line of opportunities we’re creating for people across the region, who want to expand their skills and experiences,” said Shilpi Akbar. “It’s not every day that you get the chance to work on such an exciting and complex tunnelling project, so I’d encourage people who are interested to get in touch straight away.”

With over 27,000 people now part of the team delivering this revolutionary rail project, HS2 and its partners are striving to leave a lasting skills legacy, creating a talent pool that will drive forward major infrastructure projects of the future. HS2 is providing unique training opportunities for those looking to start an exciting new career or change their current trajectory, and will continue to do so as work begins on future phases of the project to Crewe, Manchester, and the East Midlands.

NOT KNOWING IS NOT AN OPTION

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EXPERT COMMENTARY

The rail industry is estimated to require thousands of additional workers each year over the next decade in order to complete planned projects and maintain current services. If you’re looking to boost your career, this could work to your advantage. But what skills is the industry calling out for and how can you join a training programme? Intertrain – City & Guilds gave us their expert analysis.

The rail industry is expected to require thousands of additional workers over the next five to 10 years. What is behind this demand for workers and how likely is it that these roles will be adequately filled?

Thanks to a number of huge Governmentfunded rail projects including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, the rail industry is on the cusp of leading a once-in-a-generation infrastructure revolution in the UK. These largescale projects have the potential to create as many as 120,000 new quality jobs over the next five to 10 years which could drive up social mobility, support the ambition to level up the country and help to get the UK’s economy firing on all cylinders again.

According to the National Skills Academy for Rail’s (NSAR) analysis, on average, between 7,000 - 12,000 additional people will be required every year over the next five to seven years. With current modelling showing peak demand around 2025 - in three years’ time – with the biggest skills gaps due to open at levels 3 and 5, people must be recruited now to equip them with the relevant skills and experience to meet demand at the time it is needed.

There are already significant skills shortages in rail and the sector has an aging workforce, so without a concerted effort to address the ongoing skills challenges (i.e., attracting young workers and a more diverse workforce) it’s highly likely that we could struggle to fill these roles. Which positions are most in demand by the industry, and what difficulties do companies face in filling these roles?

A variety of skills and experience will be needed in the rail sector to fill these skills gaps. Some of the positions that are most in demand by the industry include customer service assistant, driver, maintenance operative, and engineer.

For several years, the rail industry has been suffering from a number of labour force issues including skills shortages, an ageing workforce leading to a retirement cliff edge, a lack of diversity, reputational issues, and broken career paths. In addition, for decades the industry has relied on Europe for a steady stream of talent to fill roles such as engineers, construction workers, and others, which now may be stymied by the end of freedom of movement brought about by Brexit.

Now, at a time when overseas talent and skills are increasingly harder to access, and the UK faces unprecedented economic difficulties, it’s clear that the rail industry still has a great deal of work to do to truly address these issues, meet the demand for workers, and adequately fill these rolls.

What roles tend to be the most popular among new entrants to the industry and those within the industry switching career path?

the most popular role to begin with would be a track operative. In this role, the operative will understand the rail industry, along with the health and safety implications it brings. Any new entrant to the industry would start off as a ‘blue hat’ and must work towards their ‘white hat’. Once the ‘white hat’ has been achieved, the industry is fully open, and they are able to start upskilling to different competencies and different job roles.

Can you give some examples of the training courses / schemes you provide? How are they taught, and what qualifications do they provide?

Intertrain predominantly provide rail training courses. An example of this are the Government-funded Skills Bootcamps. Currently, Intertrain is running Wave 2 Extension Skills Bootcamps which include new entrant track operative; new entrant assistant welder; rail welder; assistant welder; controller of site safety (COSS); engineering supervisor (ES); on-track-plant operative (OTP); overhead linesman (OLEC); and safe system of work planner (SSOWP). The rail courses we provide, all give the necessary rail competencies to work in the rail industry and new employment opportunities.

Intertrain also runs eight-week construction and rail training courses. This gives any new entrants two avenues to investigate when first enquiring about opportunities. With the construction course, the learners will come

COMMENTARY

away with a CSCS card allowing them to work in the construction industry in roles such as a civil rail engineer.

As well as these courses for adults, we also run Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 apprenticeships. These develop individuals’ skills and knowledge to give them what they need to work in the industry. The leaners complete the apprenticeship and leave as an advanced track operative or a rail engineer. Intertrain learners work with leading employers, not limited to the rail industry, to look at other employment opportunities in order to keep individuals in sustained employment.

How straightforward is it for individuals to apply for courses / schemes? What is the process and what costs are involved?

Firstly, all funded courses at Intertrain are 100% free to the learner. This is because Intertrain receives funding from the Government, bursaries, and other internal funding and the standard commercial courses are paid for by the sponsor (employer). As for the process of booking courses or enquiring, this is very simple. The applicant can complete an online form at https://railway-training-courses.com, which automatically goes through to the Intertrain funding/recruitment team who will then get in touch. Applicants can also email funding@intertrain.biz with their enquiry, or alternatively call the funding/recruitment team and speak to a member of Intertrain staff direct.

Do you have any advice for those already working in rail and looking to change their career pathway?

With new rail infrastructure projects expected to create new job openings, employers should look for ways to help people enter the industry mid-career. Employers and training providers could work together to create a series of short, sharp, but high-quality training courses, that help people with existing transferrable skills top up their skillsets and prepare for careers in rail. Individuals should also consider Government training grants and other bursary opportunities, such as the City & Guilds Foundation and Intertrain track employment programme.

Do you expect that the incoming changes to the industry will have any impact on training provision or demand going forward?

Intertrain is currently providing employers with high-skilled individuals to strengthen their workforce and capabilities of working in the industry. The demand for training is expected to rise as the rail industry continues to grow and be an integral part of the country’s transport infrastructure. More recently we have begun to see an increase of women entering the industry, and this is something we hope will continue with an industry focus on recruiting underrepresented groups. Intertrain is also innovating training provision by introducing more e-learning to better support individuals training needs and will continue developing training to support the needs of the industry.