Hitachi and Bombardier, which have joined forces in a bid to build the trains for HS2, are already attracting new British talent into the industry and developing the next generation of engineers.
At the NCHSR (National College for High Speed Rail) in Doncaster, the companies announced their next step — a Global High Speed Rail Learning Programme.
If their bid is successful, the two companies will work more closely with the NCHSR at its campuses in Doncaster and Birmingham.
The companies met with College staff in Doncaster to discuss the development of a new Learning Programme that is designed to provide a ‘pathway’ from apprentice to further study at degree level — study that could include placements at the two companies’ locations in Italy, Germany, Japan, Sweden and the UK. The ‘pathway’ would be open to NCHSR students, and those recruited by Hitachi and Bombardier.
The two companies will expand their graduate and apprentice schemes with the aim of attracting and developing the very best talent to work within HS2 project delivery teams.
Train delivery for Phase One of HS2 is scheduled to take place by 2026; and with maintenance of the trains required over a minimum 12-year period, the high-speed rail sector will provide long-term career prospects.
Karen Boswell, managing director of Hitachi Rail (
www.hitachirail-eu.com), said: “This exciting global scheme offers young people a ‘once in a lifetime’ learning opportunity.
We aim to build an iconic British train for HS2 that will offer an unrivalled passenger experience, but this investment also has to deliver a skills and supplier legacy for the UK.
"We want to bring in and nurture new talent that will support the high-speed rail industry — both here at home and for export abroad.”
Phil Hufton, managing director of Bombardier Transportation in the UK (
www.uk.bombardier.com), said: “HS2 is the ultimate future-looking project, so we are developing a train fit for the 2030s — not today.
“That is why we are determined to harness the very best young talent and build learning pathways in the UK that will create a lasting exportable legacy in high-speed rail.”
Hitachi and Bombardier have formed a joint venture to design, build and maintain 54 trains for HS2 Phase 1.
The final bid is to be submitted in spring next year, and the £2.7 billion contract is due to be awarded in 2020.
Bombardier and Hitachi’s combined UK operations currently employ around 7,000 people.
They include train factories in Derby and Newton Aycliffe, extensive regional supply chains and a network of maintenance facilities across England, Scotland and Wales.