Specialist recruitment agency GR8, which works across the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, has helped Guernsey’s construction industry fill some of the roles left vacant by a staff shortage.
13 workers from St Lucia have been employed on temporary work permits to help build offices on Admiral Park, and others have been employed on several projects in the Bailiwick.
The skilled construction workers were mainly recruited from St Lucia by GR8 which also employs people from around the world. The recruitment specialist, which works across the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, the UK and Ireland, is working with the Kenyan government and accredited training facilities to meet the demand in the construction, hospitality and care sectors.
Lorraine Jones, a recruitment specialist from GR8 Guernsey, said: “Demand for skilled people to fill roles across the Channel Islands is high, especially in the construction sector.
“We have access to more than 10,000 people around the world who are ready to work hard for the businesses that need them. While working here, they are keen to get involved and give back to the community.”
GR8 is due to sign a bilateral agreement with the Kenyan government that would recognise the agency as a key partner in finding skilled workers to fill jobs in the Common Travel Area and Ireland. The company recently hosted all three Chamber of Commerce CEOs from the Crown Dependencies at a business event in Jersey.
Lee Madden (pictured), Managing Director of GR8, added: “As islands we all face the same pressures on finding the right people to support our economies as we face uncertain times, so it’s vital that we pull together. I was delighted that Alice Gill, the CEO of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce, accepted our invitation and we are hoping this visit to Guernsey will add to the strong relationships we have already started to build between Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.”
