UK construction workers urged to “go nuclear”

In the UK retrenched construction workers are being encouraged to upskill to meet the growing recruitment requirements of the UK’s nuclear industry. UK based recruitment firm Scantec Personnel, says the nuclear sector is bucking the recession and has a massive demand for work.

Adam Spelman, the head of Scantec’s nuclear division, said UK-wide opportunities are being created by the Government’s multi billion pound decommissioning programme as well as the construction of a new generation of reactors. He said skills in demand included a wide range of engineers, skilled tradesmen and surveyors.

“The recession is wreaking havoc with the jobs market,” said Adam. “So the key phrase we are repeating to workers is ‘transferable skills’. That is what employers are looking for. Real long term, well paid opportunities exist in the nuclear industry as well as the oil and gas and the bio mass sector.

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"It is important to point out that these sectors are willing to train up staff who have core skills. It is these sectors that workers in the decimated motor industry, construction trade need to look. The advice to workers is talk to recruitment specialists, send in your CV and see how you can pick up work.”

Wind generates construction jobs as well as power

According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA): “In 2008, more wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity generating technology.” Statistics released by the EWEA show that 43 percent of all new electricity generating capacity built in the European Union last year was wind energy, exceeding all other technologies including gas, coal and nuclear power. A total of 19,651MW of new power capacity was constructed in the EU last year. Out of this, 8,484MW (43 percent) was wind; 6,932 MW (35 percent) gas; 2,495 MW (13 percent) oil; 762 MW (four percent) coal and; 473MW (two percent) hydropower capacity.

EWEA claims. “for the first time, wind energy is the leading technology in Europe. A total of 64,949MW of installed wind energy capacity was operating in the EU by end 2008, 15% higher than in 2007.

The EWEA's says wind power is the fastest growing technology in Europe for the first time came as it emerged that the US overtook Germany in 2008 to become the world's number one wind power installer.

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) says China, whose capacity doubled for the fourth year in a row, was set to reach second place by 2010 – meeting its 2020 target of 30GW 10 years ahead of schedule.

EWEA's figures come at a period of heightened EU debate over the role of nuclear power, with France recently awarding the contract for its second EPR (European Pressurised Reactor) to state-owned EDF.

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Africa may be next construction jobs hotspot

Investment in Africa is on the rise, as the continent would appear to be marginally affected by the economic crises sweeping the world.

UAE ports specialist DP World is the latest company looking to increase its investments in Africa to offset the downturn in other parts of the world. The company already has interests in Nigeria, Senegal, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa and is the operator behind the planned £1.5bn London Gateway port in the UK.

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South Africa commits billions to creating residential construction jobs

Housing and the eradication of informal settlements are at the forefront of rteh Sout African government's infrastructure investment plans, according Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

In his 2009 Budget Speech the Minister indicated that in the next three years, infrastructure grants to municipalities will total R67 bn (€5.2bn), and a further R45 bn (€3.5bn) will be spent on the country’s Breaking New Ground housing programme.

"Together with investment in roads and public transport, these constitute one of the largest areas of expansion of public sector spending, and are rightly prioritised as part of our response to the current deterioration in employment and economic activity," said the minister.

In South Africa, housing delivery increased rapidly between 1994 and 99 and more than 721 813 houses were built in the first five years and more than 892 699 units were built in the second five years.


To address housing needs, particularly in rural areas, the Department of Housing facilitated the delivery of approximately 186,000 incremental housing opportunities between 2004 and 2008 through housing finance provided by the National Housing Finance Development Institutions. During the period from 2004 to 2008, through Breaking New Ground, an estimated 311 600 direct South African construction job opportunities were created in addition to a further 290 750 indirect construction job opportunities, making a total of 602 350 construction job opportunities.

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