Dozens of Ealing residents have secured apprenticeships or moved into work through the HS2 rail project, according to new figures released by HS2 Ltd.
HS2 said 39 apprentices from Ealing have joined the project to date, accounting for nine per cent of all apprentices from Greater London. It also said 173 Ealing residents who were previously unemployed have progressed into jobs through HS2, representing 12 per cent of the London total.
Around 1,800 people are currently working on HS2 in the area surrounding Old Oak Common Station in Acton.
The figures are included in a new report published by HS2 Ltd, Mind the Skills Gap, which examines the economic impact of apprenticeships and job creation linked to the high-speed rail project. HS2 said it has now exceeded its original target of 2,000 apprenticeships, with 2,032 people having started apprenticeships nationally.
The report states: “The combination of apprenticeships and workless job starts delivered to date is worth £315 million to the UK economy.”
HS2 also confirmed it has supported 5,645 unemployed people into work across the country, including more than 2,200 people from London.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “HS2’s continued success in creating thousands of high-quality apprenticeships shows the real difference major infrastructure projects can make to communities across the country.”
Mark Wild, chief executive of HS2 Ltd, added: “Hitting the 2,000-apprenticeship milestone is a significant achievement, and I’m delighted that local people along the HS2 route are benefiting from our investment in future talent.”
HS2 said further apprenticeship opportunities will be advertised during National Apprenticeship Week in February 2026.
