Kier, a leading property, construction and services group, today officially opened an office in Swansea to support its continued growth in South and West Wales.
The new office, which complements the company’s existing regional hub in Cardiff, is creating seven new jobs specifically for people in the Swansea area.Kier is working with Beyond Bricks and Mortar – a Swansea Council-led initiative that aims to ensure young people and those economically inactive are given opportunities for sustainable employment and training – during the recruitment process.
Two of the new recruits are from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), who will work in job placements complementary to their degrees.
Zoe Morgan and Rhys Williams will work on the Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter for UWTSD. Zoe is in the final year of a degree in Quantity Surveying and has been offered an assistant quantity surveyor role. Rhys is in the final year of a degree in Project and Construction Management and has been employed as a graduate designer/planner.
The new office move comes as Kier is successfully delivering a number of high-profile schemes in the region, including phase 1 of the new, multi-million pound Swansea Innovation Quarter for UWTSD, which will see a further 25 local jobs created and the equivalent of 250 apprenticeship weeks.
The UWTSD project comprises the Faculty of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, together with a new library building, and will be operational for the start of the 2018 academic year.
Other Kier projects in the region include the Neath car park regeneration project for Neath Port Talbot Council, and construction projects with Coastal Housing, Swansea University and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.
Swansea has recently attracted millions of pounds in funding following a major review aimed at transforming the city into a vibrant hub of commerce and culture.
Jason Taylor, operations director, Kier Construction Wales, said: “It’s an exciting time for Swansea, with key developments in and around the city changing the urban environment and perception of the city. As Swansea becomes a vibrant hub of commerce and culture, it’s an ideal location for our new office.
“We have a very strong team culture and it’s great to see it prosper. I am extremely pleased to welcome our new recruits, all of whom are from the local area. The new office has created a real buzz among the team and having a base in the area gives us a firm foundation to fulfil our strategy for sustained growth.
“The wider West Wales market presents a significant growth opportunity for us, and our new office underlines our commitment to our clients, our suppliers and subcontractors and the wider business community in the area.”
