Fletcher targets UK market for construction leaders

Fletcher targets UK market for construction leaders

Thursday 7 July, 2016

Fletcher Construction is looking to recruit top-level British building talent to help deliver a 30-year pipeline of the largest infrastructure projects in New Zealand’s history.

The country’s leading infrastructure, commercial engineering and building contractor’s UK recruitment drive kicks off at an event in central London on 28 July where, in conjunction with Immigration New Zealand and HainesAttract subsidiary Workhere New Zealand, Fletcher Construction will put its case to construction trade ex-pats and the best of British.

Construction Division chief executive Graham Darlow says the scale of infrastructure build in New Zealand is unprecedented: “In Auckland alone, we’ve got the western ring road, the international convention centre and large five-star hotels .”

Upcoming are a number of huge infrastructure projects, including Auckland’s city rail link, which combined with other large projects would constitute a 30-year pipeline of construction.

“I have never seen so much construction activity of such a scale right across New Zealand in my 40 years working in the industry,” Darlow says.

Recognising the international competition for skilled infrastructure project managers and engineers, Fletchers has multiple initiatives underway at home and abroad to secure its long term talent pipeline, but is targeting the UK for senior construction leaders to help direct the massive build.

“We already employ many of New Zealand’s top construction talent but we want more and we think we can find some exceptional people in the UK,” says Darlow.

The recruitment drive is in addition to Fletcher’s continued focus on building domestic construction capability: “We have a great programme identifying and upskilling our domestic talent, who we truly believe are world’s best.”

The pitch to UK and ex-pat construction leaders will be firmly based on New Zealand strengths – lifestyle and quality of life: “We can’t beat the salaries on offer in Dubai and elsewhere but we believe our offering is world-beating.”

Darlow says global political turmoil means their appeal to ex-pat and UK construction leaders will have resonance.

“This is the best place in the world to raise a family,” he says. “Our schools and universities are world class. You can walk to a beach from just about anywhere. There’s skiing, mountain climbing and tramping within driving distance – most importantly, we’re a safe place.

“What we need is for the Kiwi families from England, Scotland and Wales to get on the phone to their relative in the building trade back home and say, ‘get over here, it’s a great place to live and we need you’.”

Darlow said Fletcher Construction has found its own people are one of the best methods of recruitment as they recommend Fletcher Construction as being a great place to work.

He added Fletcher Construction is very experienced in recruiting for specific projects or in response to New Zealand’s construction needs. “We can increase our workforce by up to 20% to meet requirements. It is something we have always done and no doubt will continue to do.”

Registration for the Fletcher Construction recruitment event can be found at http://www.ProjectYOUnz.com/.

ENDS

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