Labourer needed where are they?!
Discussion
Work within a small building company in the SE, a labourer is needed in the hope that they will develop into a member of our groundwork team.
I cannot seem to find anyone who wants to do this! Am I correct in assuming that younger people are not interested in manual labour jobs anymore? Or am I looking in the wrong places?
Agencies are useless as the applicants seem uninterested and often do not turn up.
Has anyone else had an issue recruiting younger (18-15) construction workers?
I cannot seem to find anyone who wants to do this! Am I correct in assuming that younger people are not interested in manual labour jobs anymore? Or am I looking in the wrong places?
Agencies are useless as the applicants seem uninterested and often do not turn up.
Has anyone else had an issue recruiting younger (18-15) construction workers?
Pickled said:
Whereabouts are you? My youngest boy (18) is trying to get in construction- not the greatest academically but a good reliable worker
We are in the South East, Canterbury.Academic ability is not needed we have a very experienced team that would happily train/help him.
If he is willing and reliable then great!
rog007 said:
We have had several apprentices, one of which was fantastic and is still with us 3/4 years on, however that is a one off and we have had a few that are unreliable or get fed up with manual work and leave the industry! We also pay then a normal wage not the apprentice wage but this does not seem enough intensive these days! Everybody wants a lambo and a rolex by the age of 25 (thanks social media!!)rb5er said:
I think the Romanians and Polskis still hang around builders merchants at 7am to be picked up by people needing labour.
Not even an option, no doubt some are great however the standards are extremely varied! I am looking for someone for a long term role and somebody to invest in, quite often the 'Romanians and Polskis' as you put it, will up sticks and move without a moments notice.
However if the person that fits the criteria happens to be eastern European no problem at all!
rb5er said:
I think the Romanians and Polskis still hang around builders merchants at 7am to be picked up by people needing labour.
This+ I can get a gang of bricklayers, builders and assorted trades from Romania with 3 days notice. Why bother with the stress f finding local talent when they will drive 18 hours to go to work.Vandenberg said:
rb5er said:
I think the Romanians and Polskis still hang around builders merchants at 7am to be picked up by people needing labour.
This+ I can get a gang of bricklayers, builders and assorted trades from Romania with 3 days notice. Why bother with the stress f finding local talent when they will drive 18 hours to go to work.If you have no experience in building I can see why you would 'just get the Polish/Romanian guy' however we are a quality building company driven by standards and customer satisfaction. I would rather pay more and train the person and get an employee who understands our business and what we are trying to achieve.
I have had Polish and Romanian guys that are much better than English workers and vice versa. As long as they speak good English then they are just another person.
As someone that has been a site manager for 10 years for a major developer I can say that it comes down to the individual and not the Nationality.
As someone that has been a site manager for 10 years for a major developer I can say that it comes down to the individual and not the Nationality.
Construction Agency here.
We're paying labourers working in London from £9.41 p/h. Typical day rate being offered between £84-£94 per day.
We locate many of our good labourers through word of mouth, referrals and recommendations when we perform referencing checks.
Job boards can be a good place to start.
I'd recommend Gumtree but also Facebook's groups for jobs/local area. I've heard of people having success too using StreetLife.
We're paying labourers working in London from £9.41 p/h. Typical day rate being offered between £84-£94 per day.
We locate many of our good labourers through word of mouth, referrals and recommendations when we perform referencing checks.
Job boards can be a good place to start.
I'd recommend Gumtree but also Facebook's groups for jobs/local area. I've heard of people having success too using StreetLife.
joshcowin said:
Because you cannot depend on the quality of work (in general terms).
If you have no experience in building I can see why you would 'just get the Polish/Romanian guy' however we are a quality building company driven by standards and customer satisfaction. I would rather pay more and train the person and get an employee who understands our business and what we are trying to achieve.
Each to their own, but from my experience the Eastern European labour has been to a much higher standard than what I have had from local talent. Despite them having glossy websites full of marketing BS about standards and customer service.If you have no experience in building I can see why you would 'just get the Polish/Romanian guy' however we are a quality building company driven by standards and customer satisfaction. I would rather pay more and train the person and get an employee who understands our business and what we are trying to achieve.
rb5er said:
I have had Polish and Romanian guys that are much better than English workers and vice versa. As long as they speak good English then they are just another person.
As someone that has been a site manager for 10 years for a major developer I can say that it comes down to the individual and not the Nationality.
I completely aagree, see my post 5 or so up from yours, the nationality is irrelevant. I was responding the post regarding labour hanging around the merchants!As someone that has been a site manager for 10 years for a major developer I can say that it comes down to the individual and not the Nationality.
Vandenberg said:
joshcowin said:
Because you cannot depend on the quality of work (in general terms).
If you have no experience in building I can see why you would 'just get the Polish/Romanian guy' however we are a quality building company driven by standards and customer satisfaction. I would rather pay more and train the person and get an employee who understands our business and what we are trying to achieve.
Each to their own, but from my experience the Eastern European labour has been to a much higher standard than what I have had from local talent. Despite them having glossy websites full of marketing BS about standards and customer service.If you have no experience in building I can see why you would 'just get the Polish/Romanian guy' however we are a quality building company driven by standards and customer satisfaction. I would rather pay more and train the person and get an employee who understands our business and what we are trying to achieve.
remkingston said:
Construction Agency here.
We're paying labourers working in London from £9.41 p/h. Typical day rate being offered between £84-£94 per day.
We locate many of our good labourers through word of mouth, referrals and recommendations when we perform referencing checks.
Job boards can be a good place to start.
I'd recommend Gumtree but also Facebook's groups for jobs/local area. I've heard of people having success too using StreetLife.
Many thanks for the heads up and helpful tips!!We're paying labourers working in London from £9.41 p/h. Typical day rate being offered between £84-£94 per day.
We locate many of our good labourers through word of mouth, referrals and recommendations when we perform referencing checks.
Job boards can be a good place to start.
I'd recommend Gumtree but also Facebook's groups for jobs/local area. I've heard of people having success too using StreetLife.
We are located in the Canterbury area, with occasional London works. If we travel to London the all the workers involved get a higher rate, regardless of their role.
joshcowin said:
remkingston said:
Construction Agency here.
We're paying labourers working in London from £9.41 p/h. Typical day rate being offered between £84-£94 per day.
We locate many of our good labourers through word of mouth, referrals and recommendations when we perform referencing checks.
Job boards can be a good place to start.
I'd recommend Gumtree but also Facebook's groups for jobs/local area. I've heard of people having success too using StreetLife.
Many thanks for the heads up and helpful tips!!We're paying labourers working in London from £9.41 p/h. Typical day rate being offered between £84-£94 per day.
We locate many of our good labourers through word of mouth, referrals and recommendations when we perform referencing checks.
Job boards can be a good place to start.
I'd recommend Gumtree but also Facebook's groups for jobs/local area. I've heard of people having success too using StreetLife.
We are located in the Canterbury area, with occasional London works. If we travel to London the all the workers involved get a higher rate, regardless of their role.
Good luck with your hunt sir!
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