Two remarkable apprentices from the borough are set to reap the benefits of a free university education, after impressing their employers with their hard work and enthusiasm.
Tyler Pearce-Scott and Charlotte Thomas successfully completed their apprenticeships with Balfour Beatty VINCI Systra (BBVS) recently, working on High Speed 2’s (HS2) new transport superhub at Old Oak Common Station. As well as free university tuition, they have now both been offered long-term contracts with the company.
Opportunities like these are promoted to the borough’s residents through free Ealing Council-run events such as the Great Ealing Apprenticeship Fair, which was held in February.
HS2 is a landmark national construction project building a high-speed railway connecting London with the West Midlands and beyond.
‘Seize opportunities’
Charlotte, a former pupil of Brentside High School, studied a level 4 civil engineering apprenticeship. With BBVS eager to retain and upskill local talent, she was offered a 4-year contract, coupled with the prize of a fully funded civil engineering degree. Charlotte now spends 2 weeks a month studying at the University of Exeter and the remaining 2 weeks supporting construction of the new train station.
“My HS2 journey began at my local high school in Ealing,” said Charlotte, 21. “An initial conversation with HS2’s skills and employment team led to me to 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.”
‘Always a new challenge ahead’
Tyler Pearce-Scott, a former Elthorne Park High School pupil, showed equal promise after studying for a level 3 information communication technician apprenticeship, consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic and a high skillset. He was also rewarded for his efforts and will now progress onto a level 6 digital and technology solutions apprenticeship, to study for a digital technology solutions degree.
“I was studying for my A-levels and realised part-way through that it just wasn’t for me,” said Tyler, 20. “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.”
The jump to degree-level study whilst continuing to work has proven challenging, but Tyler and Charlotte both describe it as a ‘good challenge’ and one they didn’t hesitate to accept.
They have each saved at least £18,000 on tuition fees, whilst receiving an annual salary and employment benefits. The opportunity to combine work and study means they can build experience on both the theoretical and hands-on elements of their chosen career pathways.
Supporting alternative routes into employment
As a major infrastructure project, HS2 provides a host of jobs and skills opportunities, including for apprentices. There are more than 150 local people already working on it, with more jobs expected to become available in the future.
However, residents and businesses across the borough have raised concerns about noise, air pollution, road closures, and vibrations associated with the construction. In response, Ealing Council is working with HS2 to ensure the project delivers as many benefits for the borough as possible, including good well-paid jobs and roles for apprentices.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “It’s great to hear how much these young people have achieved through their apprenticeships. Local employers who take on apprentices can expect to receive full support from us on hiring, employing, and training them. Apprentices, in turn, get unrivalled, on-the-job training, and a route into careers with decent pay.
“We are determined to ensure that HS2 has a lasting positive impact by not only further enhancing our already outstanding transport options, but also by bringing well-paid, good jobs and apprenticeships into the borough. However, we are acutely aware that the HS2 works are causing significant disruption to the daily lives of some residents and businesses.
“Our priority is to minimise these impacts and ensure that the long-term benefits of the project, such as creating good jobs and supporting local businesses, create a positive legacy for the borough.”
Find out more
Email apprenticeships@ealing.gov.uk to find out more about becoming an apprentice in the borough, or search apprenticeship vacancies generated through Ealing Council on the Work Ealing website.
If you need help with finding the next step in your career, view the offers available or visit the West London Skills and Work Finder website for local training courses, careers events, and other available support to get into work.
