The government is set to inject £650bn of public and private investment into infrastructure over the next ten years, according to the updated Infrastructure Pipeline
This infrastructure pipeline includes the projected future workforce demand based on planned investment in projects and programmes. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) estimates that in the four-year period up to 2024/25, over 425,000 individuals will be needed on an average annual basis to deliver planned investment of £200bn.
The government is also revealing details of £30bn worth of planned procurements over the next 12 months in social and economic infrastructure. This aims to create new opportunities for thousands of apprentices, technicians, graduates and skilled workers.
Transforming infrastructure
The new ‘Transforming Infrastructure Performance: Roadmap to 2030’ also outlines a vision to put innovation and digital technology at the centre of the approach to infrastructure investment and delivery.
This pipeline sets out the extent to which new work will combine delivery through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
Around 170 of the contracts in procurements, worth between £15.4bn and £22.4bn, are planned to incorporate MMC.
‘A simple but common-sense improvement’
Neil Humphrey, COO at Waterman and chair of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering’s (ACE) procurement and pipeline group, said: “We welcome the update to the government’s infrastructure and construction pipeline.
“Full transparency in this area is crucial to ensuring our members have the right mix of skills, expertise and experience to deliver ambitions to Build Back Better.
“As the delivery partner of choice for public sector clients, the pipeline’s publication also means we are poised and ready to play our part in enabling swifter delivery and meeting Project Speed’s aspirations.
“The volume and scope of the projects and programmes in the pipeline reveals some of the detail behind commitments for post-pandemic recovery and, longer-term, to a net zero future.
“I’m pleased that ACE was able to support its members to deploy capabilities to best-effect by ensuring that additional project details were provided this year. This was a simple but common-sense improvement which will ensure the document is even more useful for the industry.”
‘A clear and compelling vision for the next decade’
Keith Waller, Construction Innovation Hub programme director, said: “The National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline and the Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP): Roadmap to 2030 provide a clear and compelling vision for the next decade.
“The TIP Roadmapputs societal outcomes, the use of data and digital technology and innovation and improved delivery models at the heart of Government infrastructure investment and delivery, which closely aligns with the priorities and focus of the Construction Innovation Hub to drive sector innovation and deliver greater benefits for citizens.
“We will work with Government departments to embed platform construction systems, information management and the Value Toolkit into the pipeline to help to make infrastructure in the UK the best in the world.”
