| | BBV HS2 – Water Orton |
| | Birmingham |
| | Current |
Before joining HS2, Haaris Farouk was juggling university studies alongside working in security. While he was gaining experience, he knew he wasn’t reaching his full potential.
What pushed him to take the leap into construction was the belief that he could do more, even if it felt daunting at the time.
“What made me want to apply for this role was the fact that I knew I could be doing more and I felt like I was wasting my potential so I went for something that at the time felt out of reach.”
Haaris Farouk – Carpenter Apprentice | BBV HS2 – Water Orton
Age: 23
From: Birmingham
Trade: Carpenter
Project: BBV HS2 – Water Orton
Qualification: NVQ Level 2 Carpentry (2-year apprenticeship)
Inspired by Family, Driven by Opportunity
Construction had always been familiar to Haaris. Growing up, he watched his dad work in a similar role, sparking an early interest in hands-on work. He naturally gravitated towards practical tasks and enjoyed learning skills he could apply in the real world making carpentry a clear fit.
“I was always interested in construction work as I watched my dad do a similar role when I was a kid growing up. I was always quite good with my hands and always enjoyed helping him.”
Supporting the Delivery of HS2
Now working as a carpenter apprentice at BBV HS2 – Water Orton, Haaris plays a hands-on role in supporting the delivery of the project. His work focuses on formwork carpentry, helping to create and assemble the structures used for concrete pours, including walls and piers.
Day-to-Day on Site
Haaris’ role is practical, varied and fast-paced. His day-to-day work includes:
- Striking, erecting and cleaning formwork
- Supporting general carpentry tasks as required on site
- Working as part of a wider team to keep the build moving safely and efficiently
Learning a Trade for Life
For Haaris, one of the biggest positives of the role is knowing he’s gaining skills that will stay with him long-term.
Alongside competitive pay, it’s the people he works with and the opportunity to learn every day that make the role rewarding.
“What I enjoy most about what I’m doing is the fact that I am learning a trade I can take with me for the rest of my life.”
Finding the Opportunity Through VGC
Haaris’ journey into HS2 began through a CSCS course at the Skills Centre. From there, collaboration between the Skills Centre and VGC helped connect him with the apprenticeship opportunity.
Once he heard about the role, he knew it was something he wanted to pursue.
VGC’s involvement helped turn training into a real opportunity on one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects.
Starting Out on a Mega Project
Working on HS2 felt intimidating at first but confidence came with experience.
As Haaris settled into the role and developed his skills, work became something he genuinely enjoyed. Being part of such a large project helped him see what’s possible when learning and effort come together.
“To be starting my career on such a big project was a bit scary at the start, but once I got better at what I was doing I became more confident and started seeing Work as enjoyable”
Looking Ahead
Haaris has clear ambitions for the future.
“I want to progress in this industry; supervisory or managerial roles, maybe project management. But ultimately, I’d love to start my own carpentry business one day.”
Advice for Others Considering HS2
Haaris encourages others to consider working on HS2 and shares simple but powerful advice:
“Stay consistent and trust in the plan, pay attention and be respectful to those who are trying to teach you as they get no extra benefits for doing so.”
Building Careers Through Opportunity
Haaris’ story reflects how access to training, the right support and real on-site experience can open doors to long-term careers in construction.
At VGC, we’re proud to support people at every stage of their journey, helping them build skills, confidence and futures across the UK’s most important infrastructure projects.Explore more candidate stories and social impact case studies: https://vgcgroup.co.uk/case-studies/
