For 200 years, towns and cities across the British regions developed specialised roles in the economy of empire. Mining towns and ports, potteries and steelmakers all made their own contribution to a global trade network, and local communities enjoyed jobs for life, with clear paths to entry.

With the changing global order of the late 20th century, and a new approach to trade, many of these communities faced new competition from other countries. Specialised industries declined, and often collapsed, leaving a hole in the hearts of these communities, and a lack of local career options. Highly trained local residents would often take their skills elsewhere: overseas, or south to London. A lack of investment in transport in the regions compounded the challenges these communities faced.

Today, England faces a level of disparity between regions on a similar scale to that faced by Germany as the country reunified at the end of the Cold War. In this episode, we look at the contributions that central and local government can make to the decades-long process of regional rebalancing. We learn about the priorities of local leaders, and discuss the results of a survey of regional leaders.

We take a close look at the development of Teesworks. The project is being developed in Redcar, where 90 steel foundries once stood on a 10 mile stretch of river. Today, this site is being developed as a new centre for smart and sustainable industry, with a focus on building the skills and businesses needed for the UK’s transition to a Net Zero economy.

We learn how projects like this will need new investment in East-West rail links across the country. Two concurrent rail projects, the Transpennine Route Upgrade and HS2, are expected to face a significant skills gap. Many young people miss out on opportunities in the sector. STEM fairs and similar events can attract some to engineering at 16 or 18, as they make choices about their educational path.

But many people are deflected from a career in engineering, either because they do not see a way into the industry, or because they lack the basic skills needed to start on that educational journey. Atkins is working with Governors For Schools to enable its staff to contribute to the development of young people’s interest in engineering, and the skills needed for a career in the sector.

Guests

John Rayson is managing director for the North at Faithful and Gould. Over a three decade career in engineering, he’s had a first hand view of how countries have fought to reduce regional disparities. He talks to us about the priorities of local leaders in the regions.

James Rose has been working on the development of Teesworks, near Redcar, in the North East of England. It is Europe’s largest brownfield development and promises to bring new careers in the Net Zero economy, to replace those lost with the collapse of the area’s once flourishing steel industry.

Jess Bates is Network Rail Client Account Director at Atkins, and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead for the Transpennine Route Upgrade alliance. She is working with Governors for Schools to enable engineers from diverse backgrounds to help promote careers in engineering, and to advise schools on the skills children will need to build rewarding lives working in the sector.

Partner

Atkins, part of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies. Employing over 18,000 people across the UK, North America, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe, Atkins utilities the latest technology to deliver major capital projects, and provide expert consultancy for clients across the energy, transportation and infrastructure sectors.