HS2 to develop new team of environmentalists through partnership with BMET College

An Animal Behaviour and Welfare graduate from Birmingham, who is passionate about wildlife conservation, has launched a new career on HS2 which is allowing her to fulfil her dream of caring for animals and the natural environment.

HS2 partners with BMET College to train a new team of environmentalists: Charlotte Moore has joined BBV's team of ecologists

Charlotte Moore is embarking on a new career focused on ecology and the environment, and thanks to a collaborative enterprise between HS2’s construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) and Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMET), nine trainees have also progressed into environmental focused roles supporting BBV’s construction programme.

As part of a dedicated drive to address a skills shortage, the two organisations joined forces last year to develop a new environmental technicians training programme that combines classroom learning and accreditation with hands on work experience. On completion, trainees transition onto a paid employment trial working alongside BBV’s team of ecologists.

For lots of graduates like Charlotte, moving into their field of expertise straight after university proves challenging. Leaving home to pursue a career or taking a seasonal job to gain work experience are often seen as the only options.

Charlotte hoped to become a zookeeper when she graduated, and never imagined that a job in construction would enable her to work with animals. But after a meeting with Balfour Beatty VINCI’s skills and employment team, Charlotte was encouraged to take up a work placement to discover if working alongside a team of ecologists might provide the career kickstart she yearned for.

HS2 published its Building the Skills to Deliver HS2 report in August 2021, which was supplemented by independent research forecasting where there are skills gaps in the workforce needed to deliver HS2. In the months that followed, HS2 and its construction partners began working closely to develop new training and skills interventions to ensure that HS2, and major infrastructure projects of the future, have the pipeline of talent they need.

Balfour Beatty VINCI is playing an active role in supporting HS2 to bridge the skills gap, with its newly established Skills Academy in Bordesley Green helping to train the next generation of construction workers. Now its partnership with BMET college is helping more talented individuals progress into a career supporting and caring for the natural environment, whilst ensuring that HS2’s construction works comply with environmental legislation.

For more information on HS2's DEI work please click here