HS2 is helping to support students who have deferred their university place due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by offering them work experience.
To help students who had planned to study this year, but were offered a deferred university place, the government pledged a package of support that provides opportunities to gain new skills, access to work placements and additional learning which supports their career development.
It is this initiative that HS2 is supporting by inviting 30 young people to join the organisation for a one-week virtual work experience placement, where they can work alongside and learn from some of the very best in the industry.
The University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) has now written to deferral students on HS’s behalf to promote the placement opportunities within its engineering, environment and finance teams. The choice of three specialist subject areas will enable students to apply for places that align to their future career aspirations and give them a valuable head start in their chosen profession.
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan MP said: “This has been a difficult year for some students, which is why this Government announced a package of support for those who had to defer their studies, including skills programmes, career advice and a range of work placements.
“I am pleased companies like HS2 are stepping up to provide these opportunities to help students gain valuable skills and experience in specialist areas and offering the chance to be involved in a major infrastructure project.”
Richard Winter, HS2’s education manager, said: “Young people have been hit hard by the impacts of the pandemic, so we’ve put a number of steps in place to ensure that HS2 plays its part by supporting them with their career development.
“This is a once in a lifetime project, so understandably there’s a huge demand for work placements with us. We’re delighted that we’re able to welcome even more students next year, expanding on our existing commitments to support pupils from schools and colleges along the line of the railway, as well as those referred to us through our partnership with the Social Mobility Foundation.”
In addition to learning about the challenges and unique opportunities associated with delivering one of Europe’s biggest infrastructure projects, students will engage with HS2 personnel, including the senior leadership team, to gain a greater insight into their day-to-day roles and how their career pathways have developed.
