Market Update 2018Q1: UK Transport Projects
Posted by Adam Cadwaldr on Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Maxim Recruitment recruits for global firms in construction services, and we are currently seeing a need in the market for Quantity Surveyors and Estimators to work on some major transport sector projects in the UK. Some information on the type of projects you could be working on in the UK and some of the timelines of the projects, is outlined below to give you a flavour!
What are some of the largest current, ongoing or proposed projects?
- Various highways projects around the UK
- East West Rail
- Midlands Main Line Electrification
- HS2
- Crossrail 2
Highways Projects
Maxim are recruiting commercial staff to work on various highways projects of varying values, sometimes exceeding £1bn in spend value. Over £11bn of funding has been committed between 2015 and 2020 and includes over 400 miles of extra capacity that will be delivered by creating smart motorways as well as major upgrades like the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, the A63 in Hull and the A38 in Derby - Read updates at Highways England: Improvements and major road projects.
East West Rail
Network Rail's East West Rail will re-establish a rail link between Oxford and Cambridge, and overall will span as far as Norwich and Ipswich. It is made up of 3 sections; Western, Central, and Eastern, and will improve connections between East Anglia and Central / West England. Some of the early parts of the overall project have been completed with much more work to do in the coming years, and public consultations occurring regularly to ensure smooth progress.
Midlands Main Line Electrification
The aim of this scheme is to provide more seats, less track maintenance, and faster trains through enabling electric trains to operate on this line - the biggest programme of improvements to the Midland Mainline since its completion in 1870. Construction works are ongoing, with electrification of the MML north of Bedford to Kettering and Corby is scheduled to be completed by December 2019. Read updates at Network Rail: Midland Mainline improvement programme.
HS2
Needing no introduction, this £multi-billion high speed rail project is likely the most talked about mega project in the UK and has been for a while. Still very early in its project stage, HS2 could bring in a huge amount of opportunities as it progresses along its construction plan, across the South, Midlands and North of England, and Birmingham at it’s hub. Read our recent article High Speed Rail Two Update.
Crossrail 2
In the proposal stage, this mega project would improve connections in the South East, linking south west London and north east London, as well as destinations across Surrey and Hertfordshire. Read updates at Crossrail 2.
What sections or packages of highways and rail projects could you be involved in?
In the highways sector, commercial staff will be required to work on either a highways construction project or a highways maintenance project with an element of new construction involved in the contract. Projects in some cases would exceed £1bn in value.
In rail, we are seeking quality civils experience estimators and quantity surveyors who will be able to work on bridges, stations, platforms and associated civils works as opposed to the signalling and p-way packages of the major projects. In the slightly more distant future, should Crossrail 2 go ahead, tunnelling packages would of course be included in this list as well as more P-way works, and other associated works that go with a new underground rail project.
What experience and qualifications are required for these opportunities?
We are seeking commercial professionals with a solid well rounded knowledge of the general civil engineering sector having worked on live projects from a contractor or client side. NEC experience is a bonus for many of the contracts however any contract experience is seriously considered (such as FIDIC, IChemE contract), as good general contract skills will enable the transfer to different contracts in the eyes of the employer. For intermediate level staff, the experience type requirement is a little more flexible.
At the Senior and Associate Quantity Surveying levels, MRICS is essential. The client of the employer is firm in its requirement that senior staff need to be chartered if they are a Senior Quantity Surveyor or above. Any other membership such as being a Member of the CICES is also beneficial. Intermediate level staff are required to be working towards their MRICS in most cases.
Qualifications for Estimators are not quite as important. Solid Estimating experience is the most important thing for these roles, and so no degree or membership is essential. This being said, upon joining the company, you will be worked towards attaining your MACostE – with full support!
To Summarise
This is just a flavour of the exciting transport related projects and opportunities in the current UK construction and infrastructure market. We are seeking the very best talent on various transport projects in the UK, and with proven experience of recruiting on some of the biggest transport projects in the world, we are the specialist to speak to if you are interested in this sector.