Weekly News Bulletin – 23rd November

The bid race for the HS2 station in Birmingham began this week, as reported by Construction Enquirer, with around four contractors being shortlisted to bid for the design and build deal. This is expected to cost around £435m and the station will be the first new intercity station built in Britain since the 19^th century. The project will considerately increase construction activity in Birmingham – we’ll keep you updated with the latest plans.

This week we also shared a piece from Building urging the industry to get behind a shared plan to inspire young people to join the sector. If we are to tackle the skills shortage, it’s important that we get the next generation on board and encourage them into construction. We recommend reading this informative piece to learn more about how we can tap into the pool of talent available.

There was more good news for the West Midlands as the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce announced that the region will be awarded £2.3m for construction training hubs. This will give thousands of people access to onsite access to training for infrastructure and housing projects.

The Institution for Mechanical Engineers reported that engineering is the fourth most trusted profession in the UK, according to the 2018 Ipsos Mori Veracity Index. This is a positive step for the industry as it looks to shift outdated perceptions and encourage young people into engineering.

A new scheme from the Government has also been launched to help boost apprenticeships in disadvantaged areas. It will promote sectors such as engineering, manufacturing and construction to people of all ages and backgrounds, giving everyone an equal opportunity to kickstart their career. Here at Metsec, we’re proud of our apprenticeship scheme and take on a number of promising individuals each year.

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Bid race starts for £435m Birmingham HS2 station

HS2 has given the signal for bid prequalification to start for Birmingham Curzon Street station.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/11/19/bid-race-starts-for-435m-birmingham-hs2-station/

We need to ensure that there is a straightforward path for young people into the construction sector

To win new recruits to construction we must all get behind a shared industry plan – changing perceptions and building a seamless talent pipeline

https://www.building.co.uk/communities/we-need-to-ensure-that-there-is-a-straightforward-path-for-young-people-into-the-construction-sector/5096641.article

Region awarded £2.3m for construction training hubs

Thousands of people across the West Midlands will get access to onsite construction training for infrastructure and housing projects, thanks to a series of new training hubs.

https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2018/11/20/region-awarded-23m-for-construction-training-hubs/

Engineering ‘is the fourth most trusted profession in the UK’

Engineering is the fourth most trusted profession in the UK, a new study has revealed.

http://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/engineering-%27is-the-fourth-most-trusted-profession-in-the-uk

‘Opportunities Through Apprenticeships’ project is launched

New scheme to boost access to apprenticeships in disadvantaged areas is launched

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/opportunities-through-apprenticeships-project-is-launched