Salaries and Costs
Construction recruiters in Great Yarmouth work with local employers to set clear pay rates and transparent agency costs. Labourer day rates often sit between £120 and £160, with skilled trades like carpenters or bricklayers landing between £170 and £230 per day, depending on the site and scope. Site managers are usually salaried, often between £42,000 and £58,000, with package differences by project size. Recruitment fees vary by level and contract type, with temp margins set per hour and permanent placements charged as a percentage of starting salary. Good recruitment consultants will talk through pay bands, overtime rules, and holiday accrual so both businesses and candidates know where they stand.
Qualifications
Most roles start with a valid CSCS card, with CPCS or NPORS tickets for plant, IPAF for powered access, and PASMA for towers. Supervisory posts often look for SSSTS or SMSTS, and electrical work will expect ECS, with testing roles seeking 2391. First aid, asbestos awareness, and manual handling certificates are common add-ons. Executive search for senior hires may look for chartered status with CIOB or ICE where relevant, and a track record of delivering builds to programme and budget.
Local Hiring Challenges
The local labour market moves with project pipelines tied to marine works, energy upgrades, and commercial refurbishment. Peaks can squeeze available trades, making it harder to find employees for short windows. Temp agencies help smooth spikes by supplying vetted workers at short notice. Retention improves when pay is prompt, shifts are predictable, and travel time across A47 links is kept reasonable. Recruiters who keep standby lists and who stay close to foremen reduce downtime on site.
Key Sectors or Employers In The Region
Great Yarmouth is home to an active port, with contractors supporting marine civils and energy-related maintenance. Industrial estates such as Gapton Hall, Harfreys, and Beacon Park in Gorleston host suppliers, fabricators, and logistics firms that support builds and site set-ups. Housing refurb, shopfitting, and facilities projects add breadth to the workload. Staffing agencies and employment firms that know the port schedule and local supply chain can line up labour and supervision before tools hit the ground.
Common Job Roles Agencies Recruit For
Recruitment agencies place general labourers, gatekeepers, telehandler operators, groundworkers, and concrete finishers for civils and building work. Skilled trades include bricklayers, carpenters, dryliners, steel fixers, painters, and roofers. MEP demand brings electricians, improvers, mates, plumbers, and pipefitters. White-collar roles include site managers, engineers, quantity surveyors, document controllers, and HSE advisors. Executive search teams handle project managers and construction directors when growth plans call for leadership change.
Temporary, Permanent, Contract Work
Temp agencies keep projects moving with same-day or next-day labour. Contract work suits trades on long programmes where continuity matters. Permanent routes work best for supervisors, planners, and commercial staff who anchor delivery and retention. Candidates can register with an agency online or in person, then keep their tickets up to date so recruiters can book them quickly. Local businesses can flex headcount with temps, then convert strong workers to staff when budgets allow, and the programme extends.
Regional Or Geographic Variations
Pay rates near the port and along the A47 corridor can be a touch higher when overtime and travel are factored in. Sites with early starts may favour candidates from within the borough to cut commute risk. Projects on the seafront or on exposed plots may require additional PPE and weather-aware planning. Recruiters who understand local commuter links and parking realities will schedule start times that reduce no-shows and improve attendance.
Industry Specific Training Or Licences
Plant roles often need CPCS or NPORS for 360 excavators, dumpers, and telehandlers. Confined spaces, banksman slinger, and abrasive wheels can be requested on civils packages. MEWPs require IPAF certification, and tower work requires PASMA certification. Refurb projects frequently require asbestos awareness and, sometimes, UKATA non-licensed removal. Agencies and recruiters keep copies of cards, refreshers, and medicals to speed site induction and cut delays at the gate.
Market Snapshots And Retention
The job market is steady, with order books tied to maintenance, upgrades, and phased new builds. Workforce retention improves with fair pay, clean welfare, and clear rotas. Recruitment consultants can set expectations on weather delays, shift changes, and tool policies, which reduces friction. Businesses that share programme milestones with agencies get faster backfill when plans move, and job seekers who communicate availability get more consistent weeks of work.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What recruitment fees should local employers expect for permanent hires?
Many agencies quote a percentage of starting salary, often 12 per cent to 18 per cent for site-based roles, rising for senior posts.
How do temp agencies charge for site labour?
You will see an hourly or daily pay rate plus an agency margin, with holiday pay, pension, and NI handled through PAYE.
Which cards do I need to start work on-site in Great Yarmouth?
Most entry roles need a CSCS card, with CPCS or NPORS for plant and IPAF or PASMA for access work.
Can agencies help with last-minute cover on the A47 corridor?
Yes. Local recruiters often maintain a pool of standby workers who can reach sites along the A47 and around the port on short notice.
How can job seekers boost their chances of regular shifts?
Keep tickets in date, answer the phone, and be clear on travel range and start times. This helps consultants place you quickly.
Do agencies handle payroll for temps?
Most staffing agencies pay weekly through PAYE. Some use umbrella companies. Ask about any deductions and keep payslips for records.
What paperwork will employers need to supply when booking labour?
Provide site address, start times, PPE rules, supervisor contact, and job scope. Share site induction notes to reduce delays at the gate.
What contract types are common for supervisors and managers?
Permanent hires are common for stability, though fixed-term contracts are used for long programmes or seasonal peaks.