Residents across Ealing are set to benefit in new training and employment opportunities that have been created by HS2’s new giant boring machine which earlier this month (October 5 2022) set off on a five-mile journey from West Ruislip to Greenford.
The new boring machine, Sushila is named after Greenford High School head of STEM Sushila Hirani.
HS2’s construction partner, Skanska Costain STRABAG (SCS), is working with TheForge@ParkRoyal (part of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation) to offer training and work placements for residents in a number of boroughs including Ealing as well as neighbours Brent and Hammersmith and Fulham.
A three week programme run by West London College and United Colleges Group, starts on 24 October 2022 and will be followed by a four-week paid work placement, to enable candidates to get a feel for what it’s like to work in construction.
Ambrose Quashie, HS2’s Skills Manager for Greater London said: “We’re teaming up with some brilliant partners, as we know they are well placed to ensure that local people, who are most in need, benefit from these unique training and employment opportunities on HS2. Tunnelling is a highly-skilled career for life, and this is a fantastic opportunity to join the team tasked with constructing some of the most challenging sections of the whole HS2 route.”
The training programme will prepare candidates for their four-week paid work placement. They’ll gain the vital construction and health and safety accreditation they need to begin working alongside and learning from some of the most experienced engineers in the industry.
Billy Seago, Manager at TheForge@ParkRoyal said: “We’re excited to join HS2, SCS and wider partners to deliver this important training opportunity. The training programme offers a fantastic opportunity for residents to gain skills to be an important part of a ground-breaking project like HS2, while also being paid.”
Mr Seago added: “TheForge @ParkRoyal has already placed more than 150 west Londoners into training and employment and we encourage residents to consider this opportunity and get in touch with us to find out more.”
To find out more about the training programme, click here.
