The UK transport sector is entering a new era of significant investment. Major Programmes such as Lower Thames Crossing, East West Rail, A66 Northern Trans-Pennine scheme, Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail will not only improve connectivity but also create opportunities to transform lives and support local economies.
At the same time, government proposals to place greater emphasis on job creation and skills development within public procurement are changing expectations across the sector. The question is no longer simply whether projects can be delivered successfully, but whether they can create lasting employment opportunities for local communities.
Amid growing political support for ensuring public investment generates wider economic and social benefits, proposed procurement reforms would increase the importance of employment and skills outcomes in bid evaluations, particularly those that help young people access jobs, training and meaningful workplace experience. This reflects a broader recognition that infrastructure investment should support social mobility alongside economic growth. Under the proposed approach, employment outcomes are likely to become a much more significant differentiator. Organisations will need clear strategies and evidence to demonstrate how they:
· Create pathways into the industry for young people.
· Deliver effective apprenticeship and graduate programmes.
· Address local skills shortages through recruitment and training.
· Provide work experience that improves long-term employability.
These considerations are especially important when engaging 16 to 18-year-olds. Transport is often viewed primarily as an engineering or construction sector, yet major projects rely on a much broader range of skills, including project management, data and digital expertise, commercial management, sustainability, communications and stakeholder engagement.
Andy Burnham’s proposed 45-day work experience entitlement presents an opportunity to broaden understanding of these career paths and creates early connections with the industry. To make placements meaningful, organisations will need structured programmes that offer genuine project experience, mentoring and exposure to different disciplines. Success will depend on strong partnerships with schools, colleges, local authorities and training providers, ensuring opportunities reach a diverse range of young people, including those who may not otherwise consider a transport career.
This challenge is particularly relevant given the sector's ageing workforce and increasing demand for skills. Building a sustainable talent pipeline is essential to the long-term success of transport projects. The ability to attract, develop and retain future talent may soon become as important as delivering projects on time and within budget.
The organisations best positioned for success will be those that embed workforce development from the outset. This includes aligning recruitment with local needs, creating apprenticeship pathways across supply chains, establishing structured work experience programmes and implementing robust methods to measure and report outcomes. Collaboration between clients, consultants, contractors, educational institutions and community partners will be critical to maximising impact.
At Turner & Townsend, our Early Careers Programme helps apprentices and graduates build careers that shape communities across the UK. We welcome over 200 early careers professionals each year and work with our extensive supply chain network to create wider social value, including supporting SMEs to strengthen local economies and skills. While policy may evolve, the principle remains unchanged: infrastructure projects should leave a legacy that extends beyond physical assets.
As the transport sector enters its next phase of investment, organisations have an opportunity to focus not only on what they build, but on the people they help develop. With employment, skills and work experience becoming increasingly important, workforce impact may soon be one of the sector's most important measures of success.
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