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Young people given opportunity to shape future UK infrastructure

Young engineers, architects, designers and planners have been provided with a “unique opportunity” to have their say and shape the infrastructure of tomorrow as the UK hopes to embrace forward-thinking technology.

The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), Lord Adonis, has announced plans for a Young Professionals Panel, which would advise him and fellow commissioners as they develop the country’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment. The panel has been described as the perfect opportunity for anyone in the first few years of their career to have real influence over how the UK’s infrastructure is developed over the next three decades.

Lord Adonis said: “From Isambard Kingdom Brunel to Thomas Telford and Tim Berners-Lee to Ailie MacAdam, this country has produced some of the world’s best innovators – we need to support and inspire the next generation of engineers and designers to have that same level of drive and ambition. Our first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment will consider the country’s needs right up to 2050: so who better to get involved than the people looking to design the country’s future bridges and roads, digital networks and energy supplies, and the people most likely to benefit from the decisions we make. I would urge anyone with a passion for this vital issue to put their names forward for this unique opportunity.”

The NIC is looking for up to 20 people from across a wide range of disciplines to be on the panel, which will meet formally twice a year as well as having the chance to contribute more widely to this important debate. People from a range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply, with Lord Adonis interested in applications from designers and data scientists as much as from civil engineers, environmental scientists and surveyors.

Commissioner Sadie Morgan said: “At the heart of what the Commission does is being open to new approaches and ideas. As a young architect I was brimming with creativity and would have jumped at the chance to be part of something like this. If you’re an infrastructure evangelist whose enthusiasm and passion needs an outlet, then I urge you to get in touch. This is a great opportunity to make your mark and help us build a legacy across the country for generations to come.”

Athena Livesey, chair of ACE Progress Network, said: "This is an absolutely amazing opportunity for a game changing, passionate person who wants to make an impact in the infrastructure industry. This will be a wonderfully empowering opportunity and the role will help grow panel members awareness and confidence to take that next step in their careers. If businesses support the individual with time and mentorship they will be rewarded with an insightful and committed future leader. Fortune favours the bold, have courage and apply."

Anyone looking to apply will need to submit a short article by 5 January 2018. For more information, please click here.

If you would like to contact Ryan Tute about this, or any other story, please email rtute@infrastructure-intelligence.com.