Over 100 East Midlands companies win HS2 contracts
Over 100 businesses in the East Midlands have won work on HS2 contracts so far according to HS2 Ltd, which today (13 September) is setting out its programme of skills, employment and education interventions at Worksop-based, Explore Manufacturing.
HS2 Ltd says 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.
As the programme moves to construction, the number of roles supported by HS2 is forecast to reach 15,000, says the organisation.
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.”
Explore Manufacturing, part of the Laing O’Rourke group, has won a joint venture contract with LM 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 four 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 four 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.”
Meanwhile, Bridgeway Consulting, based in Nottingham, says it has upskiled over 60 employees and created new training opportunities as a result of its HS2 contract
The company is working on enabling works on the Phase One section of the new high speed railway between London and Birmingham, providing ground investigations and engineering surveys to prepare for the new railway.
Employing 600 people, the HS2 contract has enabled the company to create training opportunities in a range of disciplines for over 60 employees, including 14 site access controllers and six people in attendance noise and vibration monitoring working on the Euston Enabling Works. Five new trainee operatives have been registered for their NVQ L2 in Land Drilling, and a further 17 staff have been supported through their Construction Skills Certification Scheme qualification.
Bridgeway recently won The Queens Enterprise Award for sustainable development after working on high-profile rail projects for the likes of Network Rail and local authorities, including the Crossrail project in London and HS2 enabling work at Euston Station.
Pino De Rosa, managing director of Bridgeway Consulting said: “We’re delighted to be working on HS2 Ltd and to play a part in delivering such a nationally important infrastructure project.
“The contract with HS2 has enabled us to create jobs for local people in the Nottingham area, as well as provide opportunities for training through apprenticeships. This also means that we can continue to contribute to stimulating the local as well as UK economy, and create not just jobs but careers for our people.”
