HS2 is working with Women into Construction (WiC), an independent not-for-profit organisation, to help more women in the Midlands, UK, launch a career in the construction sector.
A new four-week bespoke training programme will combine two weeks of training, a two-week work placement on HS2 and 1-2-1 support from WiC. Childcare and transport costs are both provided, whilst on placement, and HS2 hopes this will encourage women that want to return to the workplace, or start a new career, to consider taking part.
On successful completion of the course, candidates will gain a construction skills accreditation that enables them to work on-site, ready to start a new career. The work placement element of the course is varied, with candidates able to select between either site or office-based roles including Project Management, Corporate Social Responsibility and Engineering, reflecting the breadth of career opportunities in the sector.
Beatriz Ramos Albert, HS2’s Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Apprentice who is coordinating the programme said: “Our partnership with WiC is now in its fourth year and we’ve supported local women from a broad range of backgrounds, whether university graduates or new mums returning to the workplace, to start new careers.”