Workers from St Lucia add building site labour
THIRTEEN workers have come to Guernsey from the Caribbean to fill gaps in the local building industry.
The men from St Lucia were brought over by specialist recruitment agency GR8, which was founded in Jersey but now works across the Channel Islands as well as in the Isle of Man, the UK and Ireland.
They are all on temporary work permits and employed by Rihoy & Son on new offices being built at Admiral Park.
For 24-year-old Dalian Leon the opportunity to work overseas was as much about learning new skills as it was earning more money.
‘It’s not all about the wages,’ he said. ‘It’s quite a good career. Everyone wants buildings.’
He has been involved in the building industry since leaving school and is sending some of his wages home to his wife and five-year-old son.
Mr Leon is enjoying his time in the island.
‘It’s like a family place,’ he said.
GR8 has previously brought 12 nursery nurses to Guernsey and is looking at filling vacancies in the hospitality sector next.
Managing director Lee Madden has been in the island to meet the Chamber of Commerce.
‘As islands we all face the same pressures on finding the right people to support our economies as we face uncertain times, so it’s vital that we pull together,’ said Mr Madden.
GR8’s local representative Lorraine Jones said the countries from which it selected recruits was based on various factors, particularly language.
‘It’s easier for English-speaking areas to come straight in,’ she said.
‘We approached St Lucia for that reason. We’ve got some Kenyans coming over as well.
‘We’ll be working with local employers to see what their needs are.’
