Dubai & Gulf region construction.

[chubbsr1]

Hi all,

This is a long shot, but thought that it's worth a punt on pistonheads as I know how nice all the people are on here, and after looking through the middle east postings, looks like you might be able to help..

I work as a recruiter in the UK and I specialise within the construction sector - management level and above - QS's / PM's / Design Managers through to Directors etc.

I've been dealing with a couple of companies over there and placed a couple of people, but i'm going to come out there myself in a couple of weeks to see the big 5 expo and find out more about what it's all about. (it's hard to get an understanding from the net).

If there is anyone on here that can give me some advice on companies that are worthwhile speaking to about services that I can offer.

As you can imagine, i've had an abundance of people coming to me asking about working in the gulf, so i've got to follow this up, obviously this is to include Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, but i'm yet to explore any of these regions, so all help is much appreciated.

if there is any leads that someone can give me and i get anywhere i'm sure there will be a good drink in it for you.

thanks,

chubbs.

[oilydan]

The obvious ones are EMAAR, Nakheel & Union Properties.

But there are millions of smaller developers, just pick a project and google away....

[crossle]

You could do what everybody else does, and look at the Construction section of the Middle East Economic Digest?

http://www.meed.com/construction/index.html

[Asterix]

Another thing to look at are the tie ups with the big UK firms - such as Laing O'Rouke & Al Naboodah - Al Futtaim & Carrilion (I think) - they'll be the better employers tbh.

Emaar, Nakheel etc... are complete sharks in my book.

[ALawson]

We (Laing O'Rourke) are looking to double the number of staff in the middle east mainly Dubai and Adu Dhabi in the next couple of years, Tony Douglas released a statement a few weeks ago to the normal construction press, jacker journal, building mag etc etc.

Edited by ALawson on Sunday 9th November 10:07

[Ron Fellows]

If you're looking for a company that will look after you and treat you right over here then I would advise to stay away from both Lang and Carillion.
If you want to email me offline I can give you some very good examples of why. Small things like not honouring contracts once your over here. Which is just a little

I work with one of them and have lots of friends that work with the other and a fair few of us have/are resigning to move on/back home.

[m3psm]

I'll be looking for a position over there again soon as a Design Manager.

I had a few leads but broke my leg and will be in plaster until mid-Feb so can't fly.

I've been led down a few blind alleys by agencies and was considering flying out there for a week to approach companies directly. Is this worthwhile, or am I better sticking with agencies?

Cheers

[Asterix]

m3psm said:

I'll be looking for a position over there again soon as a Design Manager.

I had a few leads but broke my leg and will be in plaster until mid-Feb so can't fly.

I've been led down a few blind alleys by agencies and was considering flying out there for a week to approach companies directly. Is this worthwhile, or am I better sticking with agencies?

Cheers

The visit could be beneficial. It's very much a networking place and jobs do go 'to the boys' so if you can get your face seen then it can only help.

Anyway - don't listen to Ron - he's just a bitter yank tank driver

Seriously - the employment law is set up very much in the favour of the employers, especialy for the first working year - and even when you do have some protection, the only legal course can take an extremely long time and be rather costly - in other words, useless.

[m3psm]

Cheers

Think I'll pop over once I'm moble again.

[chubbsr1]

plenty of research being done this last couple of weeks, i'm out there from the end of this week, so i'm sure i'll get a lot done through networking when i'm out there.

got a couple of days where I should get down to the autodrome with a mate of mine, so i can check out what the car scene is like...

i'll let you know how i get on.

cheers.