Expenditure on both new and existing infrastructure will deliver significant economic benefits for Scotland. Independent research shows that for every £1 spent, there is a return of £2.84 in wider economic activity. In the longer term better infrastructure will also improve the competitiveness of Scotland's economy, for example, by improving links to world markets and unlocking natural advantages such as our abundant water and renewable energy resources.
There is a strong case for continued public investment in Scotland's major transport and telecommunications networks but we recognise that government spending will be constrained for the foreseeable future. We, therefore, urge the Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Government to continue to find alternative ways of levering investment into infrastructure in Scotland.
Energy
Scotland has some of the most challenging CO2 reduction targets in the world. Exploiting the potential of wind, hydro, marine and wave power can play a role in helping to meet these targets.
It is important that decisions on our future energy mix address all three parts of the "energy trilema"; decarbonisation, security of supply and affordability.
Water
Scotland is blessed with an abundance of water. We support the Scottish Government's Hydro Nation Agenda and its goal of developing this resource into a major economic asset. The Scottish Infrastructure Alliance is keen to work with Ministers to use the Hydro Nation initiative to further develop Scotland's world leading civil engineering industry.
Professional engineering services in the water sector have the potential to become a major export earner for Scotland.
Education and Training
Delivering infrastucture on the scale and duration envisaged in the Scottish Infrastructure Investment Plan (SIIP) will require more young people to take up careers in engineering to provide much needed opportunities for apprentices and graduates to upskill the workforce and "future proof" the industry.
Glasgow 2014 is an excellent showcase for promoting engineering to school children who need to be encouraged to take maths and science subjects as a foundation for entering engineering. We would be delighted to work with the Scottish Government to exploit this opportunity.
The visibility of future workflow provided by the SIIP also provides an opportunity to make a more systematic assessment of future demand for engineering skills and identify action needed to meet that demand. Once again, we would be delighted to work with the Scottish Government in this area.
ACE Scotland
ACE, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering, represents the business interests of the consultancy and engineering industry in the UK. It is the leading business association in this field, with six hundred firms, large and small as members, operating across many disciplines.
CECA Scotland
CECA Scotland, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, has around 100 members across Scotland ranging from multinational plcs to SMEs working in their communities. CECA members carry out approximately 80% of Scotland's engineering outturn.
ICE Scotland
The Institution of Civil Engineers is a global membership organisation that qualifies professional civil engineers, exchanges knowledge and best practice and provides expert advice to national and local government.
Our 8,000+ members in Scotland design, build, maintain and improve Scottish transport, energy, water and waste infrastucture and deliver large infrastructure across the world for the public and private sector. ICE Scotland is a registered charity.