Balfour Beatty VINCI Welcomes New Welding Apprentices to Support HS2 Curzon Approaches Project
Balfour Beatty VINCI has welcomed a new group of welding operative apprentices who will help deliver the Curzon Approaches, the network of viaducts linking HS2 services to Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station.
Developed in collaboration with supply chain partners Martifer and AA Euro, the programme offers 10 apprenticeship opportunities aimed at addressing the UK’s welding skills shortage while creating long-term career pathways for local residents.
The apprenticeship vacancies were promoted through Jobcentre Plus locations across the West Midlands, including the HS2 Recruitment Hub in Washwood Heath, with a focus on helping unemployed people secure sustainable employment. Following a 10-day paid work trial, successful applicants were enrolled in a Level 2 welding apprenticeship, combining practical on-site training with classroom-based learning to achieve an industry-recognised qualification.
Working alongside experienced professionals, the apprentices will gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing to one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects.
Kam Hundal, Skills, Employment and Education Business Partner at Balfour Beatty VINCI, highlighted the importance of investing in future talent.
“Developing the next generation of skilled workers is essential to the future of our industry, and these apprenticeships demonstrate the positive impact that can be achieved through collaboration across our supply chain.
“By working closely with Martifer, AA Euro and local training providers, we have created valuable opportunities for local people to gain industry-recognised qualifications while contributing to the delivery of HS2. These apprentices will develop skills for life and help strengthen the talent pipeline needed to deliver major infrastructure projects for years to come.”
Julie Venn Morton, HS2’s Senior Skills and Inclusion Manager for the West Midlands, said the initiative continues HS2’s commitment to creating employment opportunities.
“5,771 unemployed people have already secured work on HS2, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to build on that with these 10 new roles.
“Welding is a skill for life, and I’m confident our new starters will have a promising career ahead of them.”
The latest intake includes apprentices from Birmingham, Solihull, Walsall and Stoke-on-Trent, with participants ranging from school leavers to individuals choosing a new career later in life.
Training is being delivered in partnership with Walsall-based Performance Through People, which is providing the classroom-based learning, while Balfour Beatty VINCI’s site teams and supply chain specialists are delivering practical training, mentoring and on-the-job development.
The apprenticeship programme forms part of Balfour Beatty VINCI’s wider commitment to generating social value through employment, education and skills development. Since construction began, HS2 has created thousands of employment and training opportunities for local communities across the West Midlands.
Among the new apprentices is Tyler, 21, from Walsall, who decided to pursue a career change after working in an office environment.
“After completing my A-Levels, I went straight into an office job, but I quickly discovered this wasn’t the right career path for me. I’m so glad I decided to make this change. Now, I’m a welding apprentice working on the HS2 project and I’m loving every minute. Being able to observe the physical progress of works is extremely rewarding.”
Andrew Short, 48, from Birmingham, secured his apprenticeship through the dedicated HS2 Recruitment Hub at Washwood Heath.
“As a local resident, I’ve witnessed the positive impact HS2 is having in Birmingham. I don’t just mean the major viaducts that are springing up from the ground. It’s also providing local people with employment and opportunities to learn new skills. I’m one of those people who are benefitting from this iconic project, which I believe will come to define the city.”
Around 10,000 people are currently working on HS2 in the West Midlands, representing nearly one-third of the project’s total workforce. To date, 870 people from the region have secured apprenticeships, while 2,214 previously unemployed local residents have moved into new careers through the project.
As construction progresses, Balfour Beatty VINCI says it will continue working with local partners to develop future talent, address industry skills shortages and create lasting employment opportunities across the region.
Source link:https://www.balfourbeatty.com/
