Investors, construction firms and rail sector leaders now have access to a significantly more detailed view of future UK infrastructure projects, following the latest update of the UK Infrastructure Pipeline. For the first time, the Pipeline includes skills and workforce demand modelling aligned to an unprecedented £718 billion of planned public and private investment.
Published by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), this enhanced Pipeline responds directly to feedback from construction and infrastructure industries seeking clearer, more actionable data to support long‑term planning. For rail, transport and wider construction supply chains, the new detail aims to strengthen investment decisions, boost productivity, and ensure industry readiness for major upcoming projects under the government’s Plan for Change.
Workforce Demand: Up to 706,000 Workers Needed
For the first time, the Pipeline forecasts the workforce required to deliver the UK's planned infrastructure programmes.
- An estimated annual average workforce demand of 621,000–697,000 over the next two years
- Rising to 629,000–706,000 over the next five years
Construction roles make up more than two‑thirds of this demand, with education and health infrastructure leading the requirements.
This new modelling was developed by a consortium of skills bodies — including CITB, ECITB, NSAR, Energy and Utility Skills and Cogent Skills — and analysed by Whole Life Consultants.
£718bn Investment: Energy Dominates, Regional Data Strengthens
The Pipeline’s total value has risen significantly compared with July 2025, supported by newly obtained data from a broader group of providers, including Mayoral Combined Authorities.
The Energy sector continues to dominate long‑term investment, accounting for £365 billion of planned spend over the next decade.
Expanded project metrics now include:
- Types of investment sought
- Capital required
- Business models used
These improvements support the government's wider agenda to remove barriers to UK competitiveness.
Industry and Government Leaders React
Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said:
“We have the right economic plan to build a stronger and more secure economy. Transforming this country’s infrastructure is a vital part of that plan and will create high-quality jobs right across the country.
As part of this latest version of the Infrastructure Pipeline, we’re also giving the construction sector the detailed picture it needs to invest in a highly skilled workforce that’s primed to build the hospitals, schools, railways, reservoirs and renewable energy plants this country needs.”
NISTA CEO Becky Wood said:
“Transforming UK infrastructure needs a three-way collaboration between government, investors, and industry to succeed. The Infrastructure Pipeline is the foundation on which this relationship thrives, and this update now gives investors more granular information about forthcoming investable opportunities they told us they need for their strategic planning.
Our industry partners across the sector can only invest in new skills, capacity and technology with the right data to assess what the Pipeline means in the delivery context. By adding new information on what future workforce demand looks like they can plan with confidence, and the Pipeline is also better placed to support the investment government is already making to address the construction skills gap.”
ACE CEO Milda Manomaityte said:
“This updated pipeline marks a significant step forward, giving industry and investors the clarity and certainty ACE members have been asking for. Stronger commercial metrics, richer regional data, and clearer investment models are vital to our sector and provide the confidence for ACE members to plan, invest and drive growth right across the UK.
Enhanced workforce insights and more robust project data demonstrate tangible progress towards a transparent, credible, and delivery-focused programme.”
AECOM Europe & India CEO Richard Whitehead said:
“The updated pipeline… represents an important step forward – particularly through the welcome addition of workforce requirements. It will help businesses plan with greater confidence… and provide a clearer signal of the skills, investment and partnerships that will be needed to deliver the infrastructure our country will require in the years ahead.”
Mace Group Executive Chairman Mark Reynolds said:
“The new National Construction and Infrastructure Pipeline has already proved invaluable to industry… We commend NISTA for its achievement and believe the new skills data set will help further; enabling industry and government to establish a demand-led skills system.”
Skanska UK President & CEO Katy Dowding said:
“Today’s publication of the updated infrastructure pipeline is very welcome… What really stands out for me is the critical link that has been made between pipeline and skills… Whilst today’s update might not provide a detailed playbook… it certainly enables businesses like mine to get on the front foot with planning and resourcing for the future.”
Image credit: iStock
