New research has found that the construction of HS2 is expected to support over 4,000 more jobs than previously forecast – including a boost of almost 1,500 more jobs on the section between the West Midlands and Crewe
News of the jobs boost for the region was welcomed by Crewe and Nantwich MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, and Cheshire East Council’s deputy leader Craig Browne, alongside the managing director of the West Coast Partnership Development, Caroline Donaldson.
HS2 Ltd published its Skills, Employment and Education Strategy in 2018, setting out its plans to upskill local people in readiness for the 30,000 jobs that the construction of HS2 was at that time forecasted to support.
The jobs boost comes at a crucial time as the UK strives to build back better.
HS2 has released a new report, Building the Skills to Deliver HS2 Phase One and 2a, supported by independent research, which forecasts that the construction of HS2 is now expected to support over 34,000 jobs.
HS2 is already playing a crucial role in Britain’s post-pandemic economic recovery, with over 16,000 jobs currently supported and over 2,000 businesses having delivered work on the project so far, 70% of which are SMEs and over 97% are based in the UK.
The report puts into context the critical role that HS2 will play in supporting young people and unemployed people back into work after the pandemic. It highlights that HS2’s total workforce for Phase One and 2a is expected to peak at around 26,500 people over the next two years and that there will be a constant labour demand of 23,600–26,500 people from now until 2025/26.
Alongside a commitment to create 2,000 apprenticeships on HS2 – 650 of which have already been created – the labour and skills forecasting data, set out in an accompanying report, shows that job opportunities will be available across a broad range of sectors.
HS2’s construction partners are already recruiting for hundreds of roles and jobseekers, particularly those who are out of work, are encouraged to keep checking HS2’s online jobs board, which is updated daily.
Creating valuable new opportunities
Andrew Stephenson, HS2 Minister, said: “HS2 will be a spark for new jobs and economic growth as we build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’m delighted to announce that the project is now expected to support thousands of more jobs than previously forecast. The section from Birmingham-Crewe alone is due to deliver 6,500 jobs, creating valuable new opportunities and an enduring skills legacy.”
Caroline Donaldson, managing director for the West Coast Partnership Development, said: “This is great news for the region, and we are proud to support HS2’s role in the post pandemic recovery.
“The visit today highlights the welcome boost for Crewe and the West Midlands presenting a great opportunity for the area as we build back better.”
