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HS2 wants you: rail builder launches Birmingham recruitment drive

HS2 Ltd is holding a two day recruitment fair in Birmingham to find more than 100 staff to fill roles to be based in the city.

Launch of the careers event came in the same week that HS2 announced its new two speed plans for Euston station in London.

For the Birmingham roles the organisation is particularly interested in hearing from people who have a background in civil, rail and site engineering, project management, procurement and contract management, health and safety management, accountancy, law, HR or IT.

“Getting the right people with the right skills and experience is vital to HS2’s success which is why we are recruiting now for a wide variety of specialist roles based in Birmingham, at the heart of the HS2 network" - Simon Kirby,  CEO, HS2

Birmingham is at the heart of HS2, and will act as a hub for the new high speed train network, as well as being home to HS2 Ltd’s new construction HQ at Snow Hill and the location of one of the campuses of the National College for High Speed Rail.

HS2 staff already working on the £50bn project will be in Birmingham to meet with potential recruits to explain more about the scheme and discuss the wide range of opportunities available.

The event is being held on 17 and 18 September. HS2 is asking people to register their interest here careersevents@hs2.org.uk and wants you to supply your name, latest CV and how you heard about the event. It will then provide information on the venue.

You have to be registered to be able to attend, but HS2 has warned that places at the event are subject to availability.

“Getting the right people with the right skills and experience is vital to HS2’s success which is why we are recruiting now for a wide variety of specialist roles based in Birmingham, at the heart of the HS2 network,” said HS2 chief executive Simon Kirby.

“HS2 will demand a wide range of skills across a broad range of areas, as the project develops from planning and design through to construction.  We want to attract the best talent from across the country to work on HS2, Britain’s largest infrastructure project, and to encourage greater diversity among those entering a career in engineering, construction and the built environment.

“The arrival of HS2 in Birmingham will play a vital role in boosting jobs, skills, economic growth and regeneration across the city and the West Midlands," he added.

Birmingham leaders welcomed the move.

“With some of the UK’s leading universities located in Birmingham and one of the youngest populations in Europe, this region has a vast and ambitious talent pool with expertise ranging from engineering and manufacturing to professional and financial  services” said leader of Birmingham City Council Sir Albert Bore.  “This careers fair is one of the first opportunities for that talent pool to get involved with this country’s biggest infrastructure project in years.”

 Councillor Ian Courts, deputy leader of Solihull Council and cabinet member for managed growth said: “This is a first-class opportunity for Solihull people to get high quality jobs and be part of one of Britain’s largest civil engineering schemes.  Solihull is determined to maximise the economic potential of HS2, both during its construction and when it‘s running.  This is one of the early opportunities for local jobs and I hope people from the borough will embrace these opportunities.”

For government the fair is  chance to demonstrate the impact the railway will have on jobs.

Lord Ahmad, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, said: “HS2 will have a transformational effect, supporting growth across the country by improving connectivity and freeing up space on our crowded rail network. The start of this recruitment drive is a fantastic opportunity for people in Birmingham and the rest of the country to become part of delivering this vital railway,” said under secretary of state for transport Lord Ahmad.  “It also shows how HS2 is already starting to create jobs across the UK, helping to rebalance our economy.”

For more information regarding the Careers Fair please go to: http://careers.hs2.org.uk/careers-fair/

If you would like to contact Jackie Whitelaw about this, or any other story, please email jackie.whitelaw@infrastructure-intelligence.com.