What Will a Job In Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Sector Look Like?
Highways and railways keep the country and the economy moving. Recognising this fact, the Government launched a substantial programme of long-term investment in our transport infrastructure. This level of sustained investment brings increased expectations in terms of value for money and delivering greater resilience to vital transport networks.
So, on the one hand, we have plenty of opportunities. We need skilled engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors and other occupations to deliver an exciting pipeline of projects. But the nature of employment and the way we work is also changing. The sector is becoming an even more fascinating place to work, while also becoming more accessible for people with the widest possible range of backgrounds and abilities.
Net Zero Carbon
Decarbonising road and rail networks and the engineering projects that support them is already becoming a critically important aspect of delivery. This is alongside other vital sustainability goals such as increasing biodiversity and making transport networks more resilient against the threat of extreme weather events.
Net zero carbon imposes new demands. It makes us plan and deliver projects in new ways to minimise our carbon footprint.
Where Will You Work?
A regular commute to and from a site office that could be miles away from where you live might not be an enticing prospect. For many engineering occupations this is becoming less common. BIM, digital tools and detailed 3D modelling mean that many tasks can be performed remotely. Even the job of surveying existing assets to create digital maps is just as likely to be carried out using drones as it is through a physical survey.
Innovation
Modular offsite solutions are increasingly deployed to make projects more efficient and less disruptive to road and rail users. This shifts more of the emphasis towards digital skills for ensuring projects are delivered successfully. Innovative methods and materials will continue to reshape the infrastructure sector, which places more emphasis on problem solving, critical thinking and creativity alongside technical skills and knowledge.
Engagement
If you choose to build your career in infrastructure with Osborne Infrastructure, there’s every chance that you’ll also help to inspire the next generation. Our teams engage with schools and colleges to run activities and challenges and give young people an insight into how the industry and employment opportunities are changing.
Your vision of what it means to work in the infrastructure sector might be out of date. If you’d like a more accurate picture, browse our current vacancies or contact Mike Todd ([email protected]).
