Two standout HS2 apprentices have received a four-year extension to their employment contracts with Balfour Beatty Vinci Systra (BBVS).
Tyler Pearce-Scott and Charlotte Thomas, both from Ealing in London, successfully completed their two-year apprenticeships working on the Old Oak Common Station scheme.
Thomas joined BBVS to study a Level 4 civil engineering apprenticeship and, since joining the company, she has played a supporting role in the design and construction of the 850m-long station box.
As well as the offer of a four-year contract, her BEng in civil engineering will be fully funded.
Thomas said: “My HS2 journey began at my local high school in Ealing. An initial conversation with HS2’s skills and employment team led to me securing a work experience placement, and when the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship came along, I didn’t hesitate to go for it.
“It’s important to seize opportunities that come your way – you don’t realise your own potential until you try something new. That would certainly be my advice to others.
“I would have never imagined that I’d progress to studying civil engineering at the University of Exeter.”
Pearce-Scott was studying for a Level 3 information communication technician apprenticeship. He will now progress onto a Level 6 digital and technology solutions apprenticeship, enabling him to study for a BSc in digital technology solutions at the University of Roehampton.
Pearce-Scott said: “I was studying for my A-Levels and realised part way through that it just wasn’t for me. I wanted a career in IT, but as a teenager it was hard to find a way in. Securing an apprenticeship on such a huge project has opened a whole new world for me.
“The sheer scale of the Old Oak Common site is beyond belief – from one week to the next it looks different.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to play a role in setting up and maintaining our IT systems and networks across the site. With advances in technology, there’s always a new challenge ahead, which is great.”
