Manchester-based IES Utilities Group tackles UK skills gap with strategic international recruitment
Manchester, UK – In a bid to combat the severe shortage of skilled overhead lines professionals in the UK, Manchester’s IES Utilities Group has successfully recruited its 100th overhead linesman from Africa.
The infrastructure contractor is addressing the workforce gap by seeking qualified talent from overseas, particularly from Africa, where English-speaking, well-trained professionals are available.
IES Utilities, which has been facing rising demand for overhead line specialists, launched a global initiative to identify and recruit skilled staff from regions with well-established overhead line networks. The company emphasized Africa as an ideal recruitment source due to the continent’s significant pool of qualified, English-speaking workers whose skills align with UK industry standards.
“We launched a global initiative to search for regions with established overhead line (OHL) networks and English-speaking talent pools that could align with UK standards,” a spokesperson for IES said. “After a comprehensive assessment, we targeted a handful of countries that fit our criteria and implemented a rigorous recruitment campaign to connect with highly qualified OHL professionals worldwide.”
Expansion Plans Across Africa
IES Utilities is planning to broaden this recruitment initiative even further. The company announced that it aims to hire an additional 500 professionals, including linesmen, jointers, fitters, and engineers from various parts of Africa next year, according to Construction Enquirer.
The initiative comes as demand for overhead lines specialists continues to outstrip supply in the UK, a situation that IES believes cannot be solved solely by competing on pay. “When we first identified the critical shortage of skilled overhead lines personnel in the UK, we knew that merely competing on pay wouldn’t yield a lasting solution,” IES explained. “We needed a sustainable approach to address the growing demands of the industry and ensure the UK market could rely on a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.”
Rigorous Recruitment and Training
To ensure the highest quality of recruits, IES Utilities collaborates with a network of recruiters across Africa, conducting a rigorous selection process. Candidates undergo comprehensive interviews, and successful applicants are offered employment under the UK’s Skilled Worker Visa program.
Upon arrival in the UK, the new hires receive additional training at IES’s bespoke training facility. This specialized program focuses on job-specific skills, safety, and compliance standards necessary for working with major UK power providers such as Scottish Power and UK Power Networks.
“Upon arrival in the UK, all recruited staff members undergo further training at our dedicated, bespoke training facility,” IES stated. “This allows us to provide rigorous, job-specific preparation that ensures each team member meets the high standards required for our UK contracts.”
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