Businesses urged to seize HS2 opportunities
HS2, the company responsible for the construction of Britain’s high speed rail network will today meet hundreds of businesses from Yorkshire to urge them to grasp the opportunity to bid for billions of pounds worth of contracts to build Phase One.
Over the next six months, HS2 Ltd is visiting 11 regions across the UK to meet businesses large and small, to explain the types of work packages that will be available and advise firms on how they can put themselves in the best position to bid for future contracts.
Construction on Phase One of HS2, between London and Birmingham, is due to start in 2017.
HS2 will support up to 100,000 jobs nationwide, create around 25,000 jobs during construction of Phases One and Two and create 2,000 apprenticeships, the company said.
Beth West, HS2 commercial director, said: “Put simply, HS2 offers a rare opportunity to secure a step-change in Britain’s competitiveness, whilst promoting economic growth, creating thousands of jobs and driving regeneration.
“To deliver a project of HS2’s scale and complexity we require the right companies with the right skills and competencies including health and safety, BIM (Level 2), community relations, EDI, skills and apprenticeships and environmental sustainability. Where appropriate these requirements will be cascaded through the supply chain.”
Gerald Jennings, president, Leeds Chamber of Commerce, added: “HS2 is a major and once in a generation investment in our rail infrastructure that offers excellent supply chain opportunities for companies of all sizes in our region.
“This region has a huge depth and breadth of expertise and talent that can provide the skills that HS2 needs to deliver this national infrastructure project.”
