HS2 joins apprenticeships and training project

The company delivering Britain’s new high-speed railway has joined The Ladder for Greater Birmingham, the apprenticeships and training project in the Midlands run by PTP Training, part of BCTG Group.

High Speed Two Ltd (HS2) has become an employer partner at The Ladder, through which the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership aims to create 1,000 new apprenticeships across the region.

Justine Johnson, from PTP Training, who serves as the apprenticeship manager at The Ladder, said: “We’re delighted to have HS2 join us as a new employer partner. We look forward to assisting the company in its annual recruitment of apprentices by promoting these vacancies on The Ladder’s website.”

HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston, who began his career as an engineering apprentice, showed his support for The Ladder by recording an address to finalists at the project’s recent apprenticeships awards ceremony.

He congratulated those on the apprentice scheme and said: “I think you’ve all made a great decision in starting your own careers as apprentices. You’ve a bright future in front of you.”

Karen Davis, HS2’s future talent manager explained that the company’s apprenticeship opportunities change each year, reflecting the scale and progress in delivering Europe’s biggest engineering project.

Last year, HS2 offered apprenticeships in its project management, finance, cyber security, community engagement and land and property departments.

Ms Davis said: “We have committed to ensuring that HS2 creates 2,000 apprenticeships and we’re delighted to join forces with The Ladder to ensure that individuals in Greater Birmingham and Solihull benefit from the opportunities we are creating."

PTP Training runs The Ladder project on behalf of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. The company – which trades as Performance Through People – also arranges and runs hundreds of apprenticeships for learners at employers across the region.