close

HS2 jobs – Phase One will employ thousands more than previously estimated

New analysis carried out by high speed rail industry leaders has found that construction of Phase One of HS2 will create 26,650 jobs – around 5,000 more than previous estimates. The study, carried out by Albion Economics includes design and construction jobs created from 2017-2020 as Phase One is built between London Euston and Birmingham , but it does not include employment that may result from the knock-on effects of economic development as HS2 starts to take shape.

The report finds that 14,440 construction jobs are already committed to the project as a result of professional services awarded and civil engineering contracts curreently out to tender. This figure is expected to rise to 26,650 as construction of Phase One hits a peak in 2020. Construction operatives will account for 56% of the total employed. 20% will be senior managers and 'non-construction' staff, 14% will be designers and 10% construction management.

Albion Economics has also estimated around 2,000 apprenticeships will be created at the two sites of the new National High Speed Rail College at Birmingham and Doncaster during the Phase One build. This figure could increase to 9,000 if the HS2 supply chain trains apprentices in line with predictions of government's Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy, the report says.

Commenting on the new jobs analysis, HS2 Ltd managing director of development, Alison Munro, said: 

“We welcome this report. It underlines the once in a lifetime opportunity that HS2 represents to create and sustain jobs, improve skills and increase productivity across the UK. With HS2 comes a new industry and thousands of jobs, 70% of which are expected to be outside of London. When you also consider the jobs which will result from the regeneration already being planned, especially across the Midlands and the North, you begin to see the transformational impact HS2 will have to Britain.”

Around £9bn of HS2 Phase One contracts are currently out to tender, as follows:

Lot S1: Euston Tunnels and Approaches (£600m – £900m);

Lot S2: Northolt Tunnels (£850m – £1.4bn);

Lot C1: Chiltern Tunnels and Colne Valley Viaduct (£800m – £1.3bn);

Lot C2: North Portal Chiltern Tunnels to Brackley (£800m – £1.3bn);

Lot C3: Brackley to Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel South Portal (£600m – £900m);

Lot N1: Long Itchington Wood Green Tunnel to Delta Junction / Birmingham Spur (£900m – £1.5bn);

Lot N2: Delta Junction to West Coast Main Line Tie-in (£800m – £1.3bn).