Students from across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire got an insight into the huge range of jobs on offer at HS2 when the high speed rail project opened its doors to local schools and colleges.

Almost 200 students from twelve schools and colleges attended the two-day 'Making Tracks into Construction' event hosted in Bicester by HS2's main works contractor EKFB – a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall.

The young people got the opportunity to meet people working on the project and take part in activities including interactive plant simulators where they could try their skills on an excavator and see how high tech drones are used for survey work.

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They also got to see some of the vehicles and equipment used on HS2 construction sites, take part in engineering activities as well as learning more about the environmental and community engagement side of Britain's new high speed railway.

The second day was tailored towards young people with special educational needs and disabilities – with lower numbers and a quieter atmosphere to make the visit more accessible.

Dr Catherine Pickup, Director of Project Based Learning at Futures Academy in Banbury, said: "Futures' Year 10 students were eager to attend the EKFB’s Making Tracks into Construction event. The Year 10 students work on employability projects to find out more about what jobs are available and to develop their skills like teamwork and creative problem solving.

"One thing we find is that most students are unaware of the wide range of jobs that are available to them. The chance to see so many organisations involved in such a high-profile infrastructure project is very exciting and will open their eyes to the opportunities they have ahead of them. Our hospitality and catering students are very interested in that side of the project too."