- Over 7,000 roles already supported by the project
- Over 2,000 business have already won work with HS2
- Over 100 apprentices already working on the project, with
2,000 expected over its lifetime
- 30,000 jobs supported by HS2 at peak construction
A whole generation of engineers, designers, architects and
geologists will benefit from the construction of the new high
speed railway as the project gears up to support 30,000 jobs and
create opportunities for British businesses to upskill their
workforce.
Today HS2 Ltd sets out its programme of skills, employment and
education interventions that will ensure the UK not only has the
skills to deliver the HS2 project, but to become a worldwide
leader in high speed rail.
Over 7,000 roles are already supported by the project. With
construction starting next year, many more jobs around the
country will help build a skills base to export around the world.
Mark Thurston, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, said:
Our skills strategy,
launched today, shows how we will create a sustainable pipeline
of jobs and skills for companies across the whole country,
which boost regional economies and help Britain compete
internationally.
Our programme will tackle the skills challenges faced by the
wider transport infrastructure sector, and ensure the UK has
the best skills to deliver HS2 as well as major infrastructure
projects in the future.
HS2 Minister, MP, said:
HS2 will provide the backbone of our future rail network and is
already driving jobs and economic growth across the country.
HS2 already supports over 7,000 jobs, forecast to reach around
15,000 by 2020, and is building the talented workforce of the
future that this transformative project needs.
The ambitious programme of skills, employment and education set
out today will see the economic benefits of HS2 fully realised
across the UK, boosting productivity and sharing prosperity
across the country.
Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, , said:
Apprenticeships offer incredible opportunities for young
people. Everyone studying an apprenticeship with HS2 will be
able to look back and say they played a role creating our
country’s future. Not only that, the apprentices are also
learning the skills that future employers are looking for,
that’s what apprenticeships are all about.
HS2 is creating 2,000 apprenticeships and is a fantastic
example of a national project that is providing opportunities
for everyone, whatever their background and wherever they come
from. I look forward to meeting some of the apprentices that
have been a part of making it happen.
New initiatives will be introduced over the next 12 months to
stimulate interest in STEM subjects and encourage more young
people into transport infrastructure related careers.
Opportunities will be opened up through a new Job Brokerage
Service to help people access the jobs created by the HS2 supply
chain, and a new Secondary Education Engagement Programme will
inspire the next generation to enter transport infrastructure
careers.
Through HS2 contracts, there are already hundreds of businesses
creating opportunities for their workforce. Explore
Manufacturing, part of the Laing O’Rourke group, has won a
contract with LM joint venture to supply major bridges as part of
the early works on Phase One of the project.
The modular components will be manufactured at Explore Industrial
Park in Workshop, North Nottinghamshire, and then brought to site
in the West Midlands for assembly. The company recruits a minimum
of 4 apprentices each year and when the HS2 related work
commences in the factory it will create 35 new jobs.
Alan Clucas, Director of Explore Manufacturing, said:
We are proud to be working on the biggest rail infrastructure
programmes in the country. For Explore Manufacturing it means a
significant contribution in digital design and high quality off
site manufacturing, which shortens time needed on site, and has
big benefits in safety, efficiency and programme costs.
Richard Kirkham, LM Project Director, said:
By working on the HS2 project, and linking to the National
College for High Speed Rail with 4 apprenticeships, as well as
other schools and college liaison across the region, we’re
giving local people the opportunity to gain world class skills
and knowledge, create a sustainable pipeline of jobs, and be in
a great position to win future work with large-scale
infrastructure projects.
