As the HS2 programme moves towards construction, the number of roles directly supported by the scheme is forecast to reach 15,000.
An entire generation of engineers, designers, architects and geologists will benefit from the construction of Britain’s new high speed railway, and as the project gears up it will support as many as 30,000 jobs and create opportunities for British businesses to upskill the workforce. Over 7,000 roles are already supported by the project, a number that will more than double with construction starting in 2019, and which will include as many as 2,000 apprentices.
HS2 sets out further details in its Skills, Employment and Education strategy, which was published earlier today.
Commenting, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd Mark Thurston, who addressed CECA’s 2017 national conference, 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 will 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 skills in the future.”
HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani 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.”
CECA has previously described HS2 as a “once-in-a-generation project” which will “not only deliver jobs and growth across the country, but will be a major step in tackling the capacity crisis on the UK’s rail network.”