HS2 job opportunities revealed - graduate jobs

Graduate jobs could be among the 8,000 created at two West Midlands sites, after the Government approved plans to build a £33 billion high-speed rail network (HS2) between Birmingham and London.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening revealed that half of the jobs will be created at Birmingham's former Curzon Street station site, while Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby said the remaining vacancies will be created in and around Birmingham International station.

Mr Whitby predicted that up to 22,000 jobs throughout the West Midlands in sectors including service and construction could be created by the building of the first phase of the HS2 network, which is expected to be completed in 2026.

He and Ms Greening spoke about the job opportunities while they visited the Curzon Street area on Wednesday after it was announced that the rail network had been approved.

Ms Greening said: "This is going to put Birmingham at the heart of the railway network in the same way that it's at the heart of the motorway network."

Copyright Press Association 2012