A delegation led by Economic Development president Sasha Kazantseva-Miller recently met with French government officials, business figures and Brittany Ferries representatives at the Forum Economique Breton, with food and freight, including that for the construction industry, high on the agenda.
A spokesman for the Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association, which now represents the whole sector, said it welcomed the potential building supply routes that the sea freight link with St Malo could make available.
‘However, it should not be to the detriment of local suppliers who are here 52 weeks of the year providing advice and support on the products they sell, employing local people,’ he said.
‘It is important to recognise the contribution these businesses make to the social and economic fabric of the Bailiwick. So while it is important to keep building costs in check, it is imperative we support these businesses in the same way as we are encouraged to shop local on the high street, instead of online.’
Deputy Kazantseva-Miller had also been asked whether French building staff could potentially come over to assist with construction projects, but she said such moves would be dependent on existing population policies.
The GBTEA spokesman said that construction labourers and tradesmen from European countries had been utilised by both Guernsey and off-island building companies in the past.
‘Although, as in the UK, these largely disappeared in the wake of Brexit, so it is not clear how much difference the improved sea ferries with St Malo will make to this situation,’ he said.
‘While the use of overseas labour, be it from France, Europe or further afield, can help to alleviate short-term labour shortages, it is important that this does not come at the expense of developing on-island construction capability through the construction trades apprenticeship scheme and in-house staff development schemes by local building firms.
‘It is in the island’s long term best interests to have a vibrant local building industry, offering good career options to local school leavers.’
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