Salaries and Costs
Pay rates in Portsmouth reflect a port city with busy logistics and marine work. Warehouse operatives often sit near £11 to £14 per hour, with FLT drivers from £12 to £16 per hour on standard shifts. Skilled trades such as welders and fabricators can reach £16 to £22 per hour, depending on coding and site rules. Multi-skilled maintenance engineers earn between £38,000 and £48,000, with night shifts pushing higher. Production and operations managers tend to fall within £45,000 to £60,000, depending on site size and compliance scope. Recruitment fees for permanent hires usually range from 12% to 20% of the basic salary, with senior or executive searches priced higher. Temp agency margins vary by risk and volume, often resulting in a charge rate that covers pay, holiday, NI, pension, and agency costs. Many recruiters offer temp-to-perm routes, with conversions free after an agreed-upon qualifying period or chargeable on a sliding scale.
Qualifications
Industrial recruiters near the naval base and the docks will ask for right-to-work documents, references, and, where needed, DBS checks for secure sites. Forklift roles often require RTITB or ITSSAR certification, with recent hours on a counterbalance or reach truck. Access jobs can ask for IPAF. Supervisors benefit from IOSH Managing Safely, with NEBOSH common for HSE roles. Welders may need coded tests such as MIG, TIG, or flux core, with position stamps reviewed at interview. Engineering roles will usually look for NVQ or HNC and planned maintenance knowledge on PLC-driven kit.
Regional or geographic variations
Portsmouth sits on Portsea Island with the M275 feeding into the city and the A27, M27, and A3 connecting wider Solent towns. Lakeside North Harbour, Hilsea, and Farlington trade parks pull in staff from Havant, Waterlooville, Fareham, and Gosport. Port Solent and the International Port drive demand for shift-based labour. Travel across the island can be slow at peak times, so agencies often shortlist candidates within tight postcodes to support retention.
Hiring challenges
Round-the-clock operations mean nights and rotating shifts are common, which narrows the available workforce. Security clearance on defence-linked work adds lead time, so local employers lean on recruitment consultants who can pre-vet documents and manage start dates. Seasonality around peak shipping and pre-Christmas e-commerce can strain temp supply, making early booking wise for large intake plans.
Entry requirements
Entry-level roles in packing, assembly, and goods handling often require solid numeracy, attention to detail, and a track record of timekeeping. A clean safety record helps on any site. For machine minders and production tech roles, employers look for mechanical aptitude and willingness to train across lines. Good English for safety briefings is important on COMAH and high-risk sites.
Roles and career paths
Agencies in the city recruit warehouse operatives, pickers, FLT drivers, CNC machinists, welders, fabricators, assemblers, machine setters, and maintenance engineers. Team leaders can progress into shift managers, then operations or site managers. Skilled CNC programmers, quality engineers, and planners can step into continuous improvement or production leadership in time. Executive search often covers plant managers, HSE leads, and heads of operations for the wider Solent patch.
Seasonal trends or themes
Q4 peaks for retail and third-party logistics lift temp volumes across the A27 and M27 corridor. Dry dock schedules and refit projects create hiring surges for welders, pipefitters, and industrial cleaners. Summer leave can raise demand for short-term cover in packaging and FMCG plants, so temp agencies keep standby pools ready.
Local hiring challenges
Public transport across Portsea Island is decent, yet early starts and night shifts still push employers towards car drivers within a short commute. Parking is tight near the docks and naval areas, so start time planning matters. Some roles near the base need UK nationals or specific residency checks, which recruitment agencies will explain at the job brief stage.
Key sectors or employers in the region
The naval base, Portsmouth International Port, and nearby marine suppliers anchor steady demand for trades and logistics. Light manufacturing, electronics, and FMCG packaging add day shift options across Hilsea and Farlington. Third-party logistics sites near the M27 handle inbound and outbound freight, calling for warehouse staff, inventory controllers, and HGV shunters. Local employers value recruiters who can hire staff quickly during temporary peaks, then help convert to permanent roles once volumes settle.
Regulatory or compliance standards
AWR after 12 weeks governs equal treatment for agency temps on many sites. Working Time and rest rules shape overtime planning on night shifts. Manual handling, COSHH, and PUWER training are common at induction. Confined space tickets appear for dockside projects. Recruiters will set expectations on PPE, site passes, and medicals before start dates.
Common job roles agencies recruit for in that sector or area
Typical vacancies include picker/packer, goods in operative, FLT counterbalance or reach, van driver, HGV Class 1, machine operator, CNC setter, CNC programmer, MIG or TIG welder, fabricator, maintenance engineer, quality technician, and production supervisor. For permanent hiring, recruitment agencies in Portsmouth support planners, buyers, and operations managers where industrial knowledge is key.
Hard to fill positions
Maintenance engineers with an electrical bias are in short supply across the Solent. Experienced CNC programmers who can read complex drawings are scarce. Coded welders with recent dockside experience carry a premium. Night-shift warehouse supervisors who can lead large teams are often snapped up before their notice periods end.
Market and trend snapshots
Port volumes, defence projects, and e-commerce growth keep the industrial job market steady in Portsmouth. Temp agencies report high repeat bookings on night shifts and weekends. Employers that offer fixed shift patterns, paid breaks, and clear progression see stronger retention. Transparent recruitment fees and charge rates help both sides plan workforce budgets with fewer surprises.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical agency fees for permanent hires in Portsmouth?
Many employment firms quote 12% to 20% of basic salary, with rebates on a sliding scale.
How do temp charge rates break down?
Charge rates cover pay, holiday accrual, NI, pension, and the recruiter margin, which reflects risk, volume, and service level.
Can I register with an agency before I have certificates?
Yes, you can register with recruiters and add RTITB, ITSSAR, or IPAF proof once booked onto training.
Do local agencies handle executive search for industrial leadership?
Yes, many recruitment agencies offer executive search for operations leaders, with retainers or staged fees for senior hires.
Where are the main industrial hotspots in Portsmouth?
Look to Hilsea and Farlington, Lakeside North Harbour, Port Solent, and sites near the M275 and A27 for steady industrial activity.