Residents in Buckinghamshire residents are being given help to launch a career in construction with HS2's Aylesbury-based contractor, Blackwell Earthmoving Limited.

HS2’s construction partner, Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall (EKFB), appointed Blackwell Earthmoving to deliver the earthworks on a 30km section of the route from Calvert South to the North Chilterns. The scale of work to create the embankments and cuttings for Britain’s new high speed railway is extensive, and the team forecast more local jobs would be created as a result.

To ensure local people were first in line to benefit, the team worked closely with Bucks Training Academy to support those looking for a new career. A local recruitment campaign resulted in over 1,500 enquiries and the free training programmes have so far led to 63 people securing a new job.

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Ignacio Chicharro, Project Director at EKFB said: "We're delighted that Blackwell is going the extra mile to ensure local people benefit from the jobs it is creating. Over the next three years, around 12million cubic metres of earthworks will be delivered on this section of the HS2 route. It’s a huge operation, and it’s fantastic that the local community is playing a part in what we’re delivering."

45-year-old Lincoln Dhana from Milton Keynes and 36-year-old Stephanie Oliver from Aylesbury both completed their training and transitioned straight into full-time employment.

It's been a huge change for Stephanie, who worked as a care worker during the pandemic. She never imagined she’d find herself driving a 60-tonne dumper truck, but the career change has left her feeling less stressed and gives her more time to spend with her family.

She said: "If I'd known there was a role like this for me in construction, I’d have gone for it years ago. I didn’t imagine myself driving a 60-tonne truck, but now I'm here I absolutely love it.

"This is my first full-time job, and it gives me the security I need to provide for my family. Being local also means I have a great work-life balance, and for me that's really important."

Over the last year, Lincoln has completed three different training courses, which means he’s now qualified to operate a broad range of plant machinery.