Institution responds to new HS2 Growth Taskforce report

The Institution's Dr Colin Brown says report provides welcome insight into critical areas that must be addressed to maximise the benefits that HS2 brings the UK.

Dr Colin Brown, Director of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said in response to the new HS2 Growth Taskforce report released today:

“HS2 will provide the UK with a much needed boost to transport capacity. It would improve connectivity in the North, and be a significant contribution to the development of the integrated and efficient transport system we need to create a balanced UK economy.

“This report provides welcome insight into critical areas that must be addressed to maximise the benefits that HS2 brings the UK. Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, industry and central Government must work together to develop an economy led vision for the future of the country’s transport system. This must cover national, regional and local needs.

“The Institution also agrees that there is an urgent need to prioritise the development of skills critical to the country’s economy.  Ensuring appropriate skills are available to grow our businesses is a national priority.  With the ageing workforce and so many retiring particularly from engineering, it is no overstatement to say the UK is facing an engineering skills crisis.

“There needs to be a regime-change in funding mechanisms and priorities to ensure that these skills are incentivised in schools, colleges and universities. Industry must do much more to open itself up to students to show just how rewarding and varied jobs in engineering and science can be.”