250 construction jobs to be created by EICC development
Construction recruitment in Scotland is to be boosted significantly by an £85m expansion of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
The BBC reports that work has begun on the project, which it describes as one of the country's largest. The expansion has a target date of 2013 and it is estimated that it will create 250 jobs in construction during its 126 week construction phase.
A partnership between Edinburgh City Council, Scottish Enterprise and the EICC, its main focus is on the creation of a 2,000 square metre multi-purpose hall in addition to an extensive number of additional offices. The BBC reports that a wide variety of building jobs will be needed for the development, as some 120,000 tonnes of material will be removed during the excavation phase whilst some 3,300 tonnes of steelwork is to be erected.
When finished, the multi-purpose hall will have a bespoke moving floor system that is capable of creating a flat floored exhibition space, tiered banqueting or even an auditorium.
The project was awarded to Sir Robert McAlpine. Its director, Andrew McAlpine said: "We are delighted to return to this site that we know well as main contractor for the Scottish Widows Edinburgh One building next door and the nearby Standard Life offices."
"Experience tells us that when we invest in EICC we are investing in the future prosperity of the city" said Edinburgh's City Council leader, Jenny Dawe. She says that the council predicts a £2.3bn return over the next 30 years on this "long term investment.''
Author: William Hobson
Keywords: jobs in construction, construction recruitment, building jobs