David Morris, the vice chairman of the Jersey Construction Council, says that the sector has benefitted from increased investor confidence as Jersey emerges from the downturn and that it is now in the best position since before the start of the recession in 2007.
And the industry is booming to such an extent that the council is to launch a new scheme where representatives are to go into schools to encourage pupils to choose a career in construction.
The rapid transformation of the industry’s fortunes has been caused by the launch of a number of major projects during this year and 2014, including the building of the new police station at Green Street, the redevelopment of the Southampton Hotel and the construction of the Dandara office block next to the Grand Hotel.
And several more projects, including the Jersey International Finance Centre, the redevelopment of the former Jersey College for Girls site and the planned construction of a new Les Quennevais School are also boosting optimism and securing long-term jobs.
The upturn in the industry was confirmed this week when a report into the Island’s labour market showed that at the end of June there were 300 more jobs in construction than in the previous year, placing the sector as one of the fastest growing in Jersey.
Overall there were 5,250 jobs in the construction and quarrying sector, a figure representing nine per cent of all employment roles.
The only industry that saw greater increases was education and health services in the private sector, which saw a rise of 380 employees.
Mr Morris, who is also head of capital projects at Andium Homes, said: ‘It’s looking really buoyant at the moment, especially with major projects such as the finance centre and the new police station. We think that the growth is sustainable as we have quite a few other projects coming through.
‘There’s a lot more confidence than there has been in previous years – overall the industry is in a good place, probably the best it has been since before the start of the recession in 2007. The construction industry is quite a good barometer of where the economy is overall, so it’s very positive for the Island as a whole.
‘As an industry we still have some way to go before we reach capacity and it could be some time before we fully recapture the pre-recession years.’
Although there is now more confidence in the sector, Mr Morris says there have been ongoing problems encouraging school leavers to get into construction.
‘We have always had a challenge to get young people interested,’ he said. ‘One of the ways that we are attempting to change that is through education. I have been speaking with careers teachers in schools to try and promote construction. Many young people do not realise the opportunities that are available – there are artistic roles and technical roles that sometimes are not considered. I wouldn’t say we have a shortage, but there are more people retiring than coming into the industry.
Meanwhile, Marc Burton, the managing director of Camerons – one of Jersey’s largest building firms – says that signs are ‘very encouraging’ for a prolonged period of growth in the industry.
‘This week’s report shows that there has been quite a rise in the number of people entering the industry,’ he said. ‘More than anything it shows we are now definitely on the upward curve after the recession.
‘There is lots more confidence now are we working really hard with the government and schools to ensure there is not a skills shortage in the future. It’s a vast industry with more than 200 different career options and we are really trying to spread that message.’
Skills Jersey Star of the Future
Mark Brandon – Sun Works (C.I.) Ltd for ‘being a role-model for young people, not just in construction but throughout the business world’.
Hepburns Insurance Industry Achiever of the Year
Robert Matthews – ROK Construction Limited for his ‘dedication and perseverance through the success of a business which has seen enormous growth over the past few, very challenging years for the industry’.
Rossborough Sub Contractor/Supplier of the Year
Jayen Limited for demonstrating ‘that it promotes and operates within a healthy and safe environment and will seek to provide its staff with opportunities to expand their capabilities through training’.
Ogier Health & Safety Award
AC Mauger & Son Ltd for demonstrating ‘the highest levels of commitment to its own sites and in its nomination cited the excellent safety management of a high-density project situated on a corner of a major urban junction’.
JE Sustainability Award
The Dunes – Advanced Housing Systems Ltd for the ‘project’s use of the latest sustainable technologies including heat recovery systems and water-saving techniques’.
Insurance Corporation Consultant of the Year
Ross-Gower Associates for the ‘long-term strategic approach’ taken by a leadership team as its long-standing owner prepares for retirement.
Ronez Building Regeneration of the Year Award
St James Centre – Larsen Group for showing ‘a commitment to using local suppliers and dealing extremely well with the constraints that are placed on working within a site of historical interest’
Comprop Business of the Year
ROK Construction Limited for understanding ‘that every business has a commitment to the community in which it operates’ and foreseeing ‘the challenges that growth creates’.
Villeroy & Boch Project of the Year Up To £1 Million
Plémont Project – AAL Recycling for operating to a ‘very tight budget’ and meeting the key ecological demands of the project.
Benest & Syvret Project of the Year Over £1 Million
Normandie 3 – Jersey Electricity for showing ‘a level of project management skills that is rarely seen in Jersey’, through coordinating multi-national teams that were working on both land and sea.
JeCC Lifetime Achiever of the Year
