Building industry 'not at bottom'
CONSTRUCTION in the island is 'yet to hit rock bottom', according to the Economic Development president, as professionals said it was in 'the quietest period in living memory'.
Employment has been falling across the sector in the past 18 months, with a net loss of around 700 jobs during that time.
Peter Ferbrache said the lack of imminent major projects meant there was no immediate way of stopping that.
'Without capital projects that are going to pump money into the system, we aren't going to build confidence in the industry or create jobs,' he said.
However, Deputy Ferbrache admitted there were no firm plans in place to investigate opportunities to expand the industry or move projects forward.
'Economic Development is part of the Construction Forum and we listen to what people in the industry are doing. However, we have no genuine projects to put to the States,' he said.
Mark Palfrey, managing director of RG Falla, said key States projects in recent years could have been better spaced out to ensure a more steady workflow.
'There haven't been any major States projects in three or four years – the last ones to be built were the Oberlands Centre and Les Beaucamps School,' he said.
