NOTTINGHAM, England, Nov. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction training provider, Essential Site Skills (ESS), have shared their thoughts on the cancellation of HS2's Northern leg of the project, and how it affects an already unbalanced job market in construction.

"HS2 has been a controversial project since its inception many years ago, but no matter how you look at it, HS2 has provided thousands of jobs within the construction industry," said, Catherine Storer, Executive Director.

While Phase 1 of HS2 carries on, with over 28,000 people working on it, 150,000 potential jobs in construction, engineering, and management have been lost in the wake of Phase 2's scrapping.

"This is in addition to an already turbulent time for construction and infrastructure, whose skills shortage reached 140,000 in July 2023, across building, electrician, and plumbing roles especially.

A drop in the ocean

"The £8bn of funding being relocated to pothole repair is certainly a victory for many disgruntled drivers that face these menaces of the road every day, but in terms of sheer job creation, this represents a drop in the ocean compared to something as far-reaching as HS2 Phase 2 would have," continues, Catherine Storer.

National Highways, the government-owned company that operates the majority of UK highways employs 6,000 onsite workers. This is compared to the 30,000 roles that HS2 reported in March 2022.

"Though a scourge on our public roads, the relocated funding could have gone a lot further to addressing the major construction job shortages that the UK faces, now even more so with Phase 2's cancellation," concluded, Catherine Storer.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-pothole-initiative-cant-make-up-for-major-job-loss-caused-by-northern-hs2-scrapping-says-training-expert-essential-site-skills-ess-301996690.html

Tags

More Like This

Transport Secretary ends 'era of neglect' on HS2 with thorough reset

Transport Secretary draws line under HS2 'mismanagement' with bold reset plan

Major milestone for HS2 as tunnelling to Euston starts

Transport Secretary announces urgent action to get a grip on spiralling HS2 costs

Major expansion of colleges to train next generation of workers

NEET Numbers & Benefits Pressure Could Tumble If Skills Gap is Filled – Says Enginuity

Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Budget Reaction

£1 billion backed renewal of broken bridges, ruined roads and tired tunnels and new Thames Crossing cash