HS2’s online jobs board advertises 2,000 supply chain vacancies in its first year

HS2’s online jobs board, which advertises all the latest vacancies from HS2’s Phase One construction partners, has reached a landmark milestone having promoted over 2,000 job opportunities in its first year.

The digital platform, which launched on 28 January 2021 and is hosted on the HS2 website hs2.org.uk/supply-chain-jobs, offers those looking for work or a change of career the opportunity to search the very latest vacancies with HS2’s construction partners and station contractors delivering the London – Birmingham section of the railway.

The jobs board allows candidates to search for vacancies by region or by specialism, so they can quickly identify opportunities that match their criteria. In total, 2004 vacancies were advertised in the 12 months since the site launched, with over 700 opportunities in the West Midlands, over 700 in Greater London and almost 600 in the central region covering Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. A small number of vacancies were also advertised in the North West and South West.

HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson said:

“As Europe’s largest infrastructure project, it’s our responsibility to ensure HS2 creates thousands of long-lasting jobs across the entire nation.

“Advertising 2000 jobs in just one year is a huge achievement and shows that we’re delivering on our promises of boosting the economy and levelling up the country.”

The jobs board launched alongside HS2’s brokerage partnership model, which brings together local authorities, enterprise partnerships, charities and employment support services along the 140-mile route of the first phase of the new zero-carbon railway. HS2’s job brokerage partners support and refer local people, including those from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups, into jobs on HS2.

Rebecca Young, HS2’s Skills and Employment Strategy Manager said:

“The online jobs board, combined with support from our job brokerage partners, is playing a crucial role in ensuring we have the workforce in place we need to deliver HS2.

“With 20,000 jobs already supported and around 14,000 more roles expected, it will continue to play a vital role in the months and years ahead as we extend Britain’s new railway to the North.”

HS2 job brokerage model has the backing of the Department for Work and Pensions and a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets out the agreed roles and responsibilities of HS2 Ltd and its job brokerage partners, is in place between the two organisations.

Tony Hyland, Senior National Account Manager, Department for Work and Pensions said:

“We know that construction is one of the most important growth sectors within the UK and recognise the value of the range of jobs that HS2 offers.

“HS2 has made fantastic progress with its online jobs board, which is supporting DWP customers to access a broad range of jobs and opportunities. We look forward to our continued work with HS2 and its job brokerage partners.”

HS2’s Skills, Employment and Education team is working with the supply chain to enhance the online jobs board so that tier two contractors can also upload their latest job vacancies.

There are currently over 250 live vacancies on the jobs board, with opportunities spanning a broad range of sectors including Health and Safety, Environment, Document Control and Human Resources.

For support applying for jobs with HS2 and its construction partners, job seekers are encouraged to speak to their work coach at the Department for Work and Pensions or visit  hs2.org.uk/supply-chain-jobs for details of all the latest vacancies and opportunities.