A SOLIHULL apprentice has spoken about her role in the delivery of the HS2 railway.
To mark National Apprentice Week, Ellie Kent, has revealed what life is like one year into her a two-year project management apprenticeship with HS2 Ltd.
She has aspirations to develop her skills and experience with HS2, one day progressing to a senior role within IT or product management.
The 20-year-old said: “HS2 has been a great starting point in my career – the people are friendly and supportive, and it opens your eyes to the working world in such a bright way.
“My confidence within myself as a person as well as with my work has increased massively.
“I am very proud of the work we are doing [at HS2], as well as being able to tell any kids or grandkids in the future that I was a part of it.
“I believe that HS2 will be a massive help to the economy, producing jobs and future talent into the industry as a whole.”
She is just one of hundreds of apprentices working on the construction of the line which will run between London and Birmingham.
Similarly, 19-year-old Adil Ali from Birmingham is training as a project management apprentice within the business’ busy logistics team, having aspired to forge a career in the construction industry from a very young age.
He said: “I was drawn to HS2 due to its transformative vision to revolutionise rail infrastructure in the UK. The sheer scale of the project, its focus on innovation and its commitment to delivering long-term economic and social benefits resonated strongly with my desire to be part of something impactful.
“I saw the apprenticeship as a unique chance to gain hands-on experience in project management while contributing to a historic project that will shape the future of the UK’s transport network.”
Karen Davis, head of people development at HS2 Ltd, said: “Apprenticeships are an important part of our business, providing both entry-level roles for people just starting out in their careers, like Ellie and Adil, and opportunities to upskill for those already working in our industry.”
HS2 is upskilling the next generation of professionals in the railway and major infrastructure sectors.
Bosses say the commitment to create 2,000 apprenticeships is on track, and this unparalleled investment will ensure the UK has the skilled workforce it needs to continue developing our much-loved railways into the future.
