Fears raised about HS2 gobbling up skilled labour

VITAL regional rail projects could be severely impacted as skilled rail workers are diverted onto construction of high-speed rail project HS2, according to a supplier of skilled labour to the rail industry.
 
The stark warning, which has been issued by Birmingham-based Auctus Management Group, comes in the wake of increasing concerns in the rail industry over the lack of skilled labour which is being exacerbated by an ageing workforce.
 
Richard Toy, chief executive of Auctus, said. “In Birmingham alone, an extra 8,300 new jobs will be created including nearly 1,000 construction jobs and more than 800 operational and maintenance roles as a result of HS2.

“At face value this is extremely positive news for the rail industry and the West Midlands economy, but does not come without problems.

“Initial estimates suggest that this skilled labour requirement will drain planned regional rail projects of circa 7% of current rail force labour and 15% of skilled signalling and telephone workers.

“If the current shortages of skilled labour continue it is inevitable that HS2 will drain labour from existing regional rail projects.”

Phase one of HS2, between Birmingham and London, is due to start construction in 2017 and is expected to average approximately 11,500 full time employees per month with a peak monthly workforce of circa 34,000 workers.
 
In total, HS2 is expected to create circa 24,000 construction jobs across the UK, but Toy says Network Rail already has a shortage of approximately 5,000 skilled workers across the UK to deliver its planned works.

“There is already a skilled labour shortage for rail construction and maintenance, but HS2 threatens to exacerbate the problem dramatically,” he said.

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