Skills exchange deal

Chinese and UK engineering companies agree skills exchange deal

A deal has been signed between leading engineering bodies in China and the UK, which will see employees take part in a special exchange scheme, helping to develop new skills and insight into each country’s infrastructure development.

Witnessed by Lord O’Neil, UK Commercial Secretary to the Treasury and UK Chancellor George Osborne, the Employee Exchange Scheme agreement was signed by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA) at a business event in China today.

The announcement comes on top of the news this week regarding a number of new initiatives aimed to increase China/UK collaboration on infrastructure, including a £2Bn government guarantee to underwrite Chinese investment in Hinkley power station, and a co-funded £50M cutting-edge nuclear research centre to be based in the UK.

Next month, an employee from the China Railway Construction Company (CRCC) is joining engineering, management and development consultants Mott MacDonald’s Manchester office next month for a three month placement. It plans to place other Chinese employees into its UK offices and is exploring opportunities for Mott MacDonald staff to work in China.

ICE Director General, Nick Baveystock, said: “China’s interest in UK infrastructure reflects the strength of the UK market. China also has a huge infrastructure programme and high demand for engineering expertise, which UK engineers are keen to support. As such ICE and CHINCA have joined forces to develop a scheme that will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills between UK and Chinese companies, and help to pave the way for wider collaboration between the two countries.”

Vice Chairman of CHINCA, Madam Wang He, added: “The economic and trade cooperation between China and Britain has being continuously enhanced over recent years, for which the cooperation in infrastructure and energy sector plays important role.  CHINCA has established a series of productively cooperative mechanisms with relevant British institutions to promote mutual industry corporation. This Employee Exchange Scheme by CHINCA and ICE, is aiming to set up a platform for companies of both sides to make better mutual understanding. We hope the companies can achieve all-round collaboration in technology, management and commerce sectors based on this Scheme, and develop the infrastructure investment and construction opportunities together in both countries and other third country markets.”

Keith Howells, Mott MacDonald Group Chairman said: “We are very pleased to be the hosts of the first exchange with CRRC. Continued collaboration with Chinese companies both in China and abroad is a key part of our strategy. The ICE-CHINCA scheme will build on our existing relationships, enabling further cooperation, and will provide wider benefits to both Mott MacDonald and our Chinese partners.”

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