Communities
Supporting Education and Development of Young People
"We get a personal boost when we hold events like this. It feels great to give something back and help the next generations to understand more about our UK infrastructure. Seeing what both our team and the students get out of these activities makes it all worthwhile."
Damon Holmes, general manager – Midlands HS2 RM
A group of 60 Year 10 students from Avon Valley School in Rugby were given an education on HS2 and concrete during a visit to a HS2 site in Chipping Warden. In partnership with the Heart of England Community Rail Partnership, the students learnt about the value to UK infrastructure of the rail system and the construction of HS2.
They then spent time at the Tarmac concrete batching plant on the HS2 site. The Tarmac team explained to the students how concrete is made and how Tarmac contributes to EKFB’s (a joint venture that brings together Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction, and BAM Nuttall) work on HS2.
Students had the chance to watch a slump test on a sample of concrete and understand how the quality of the concrete affects its strength and longevity, which helps achieve the 120-year design life. Safety was another key topic - PPE was handed out and the students were able to understand why teams wear it through explaining the risks and hazards on a batching plant site.
To enable local schools to engage regularly with everyone making HS2 a reality, Birmingham City Council approached Tarmac to ask if we would bring one of our concrete mixer trucks to Washwood Heath Academy.
The truck helped the team to educate students on the work happening on HS2, how Tarmac is involved, and teach them about safety around vehicles and heavy goods vehicles. Following feedback on how much the students gained from the day, we have agreed to bring a concrete mixer truck in one day per term.
To help the students at Washwood Heath Academy understand how Tarmac colleagues working on the HS2 programme got to where they are now, the HS2 team also went to the school to give career talks.
Ryan Griffith, HS2 technical and quality manager, said: "It’s always rewarding speaking to young people about the work we do, particularly at Washwood Heath where the HS2 programme has such a strong presence. It’s good to know that we’ve been able to help any students that may be considering a career in construction."
