Six specialist labor-only subcontractors have been awarded contracts by EKFB, a joint venture between Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction, and BAM Nuttall, to support employment requirements for the next four years.
Between now and 2024, EKFB, as one of HS2’s main construction partners, will need 2,500 skilled operatives to build an 80-kilometer section of the new high-speed rail link between the Chiltern Tunnel and Long Itchington Wood.
Local people, underrepresented groups, and new entrants to the industry will be prioritised by EKFB and labour providers, with apprentices accounting for 4% of the EKFB workforce. EKFB and the six labour providers have formed a partnership and established the ‘Labour Desk,’ which will handle all EKFB resource requests. Carmichael, Reliable Contactors, VGC, Danny Sullivan Group, Venesky-Brown, and McGinley are the six labour providers. These subcontractors were chosen after a thorough tender process that included a novel behavioural assessment between the tenderers and EKFB.
EKFB Labour Manager, Philip Manning, who is responsible for managing the labour requirements, commented: “Together, EKFB and its agencies are committed to ensuring supply of blue-collar labour on EKFB projects is delivered effectively and is managed on time and on budget. We will work collaboratively to ensure all labour providers have an equal opportunity to supply workers to the project, share best practise and maintain compliance with industry legislation.
“By taking a ‘best for project’ decision-making approach, EKFB and its labour suppliers will collaborate to proactively resource the project, lead by example and drive industry best practice.”
The ‘Labour Desk’s’ goals are to assist in the delivery of the EKFB JV project by managing the supply of qualified operatives and assisting in the project’s legacy for the local communities. By providing long-term employment opportunities, EKFB and its chosen providers aim to improve people’s lives, communities, and the construction industry.
