Kier launches recruitment drive to support region 's infrastructure projects

Kier has launched a recruitment drive in the West Midlands, with the Group initially creating 130 new jobs to support the delivery of projects, which includes roads, hospitals and the UK 's largest infrastructure project.

The recruitment drive also looks to support Kier 's ambitions of attracting the next generation of talent into the construction industry - with previous experience within the sector not a requirement for a number of its positions.

With the West Midlands a key focus for economic growth a focus of the levelling-up agenda, these roles will support the delivery of vital infrastructure projects for Birmingham, including a number of projects Kier is currently delivering, including Heartlands Hospital 's new £97.1m Ambulatory Care and Diagnostics Centre, the Perry Barr residential scheme, HS2 and the capital works, maintenance and repair across Birmingham 's business road network.

With sustainability, data, and new technologies spearheading the revolution taking place within the construction industry, roles on offer are more varied than ever before. Positions include project managers, bid managers, quantity surveyors as well as roles in finance, Human Resources, its in-house design consultancy and customer service team.

Kier is seeking diverse new talent with skills and experience from a range of locations, sectors and backgrounds and is breaking down barriers to entry by offering various entry points, including graduate, apprenticeship and Kickstart opportunities. The Group also has programmes such as Making Ground, which supports ex-offenders to find meaningful and sustainable employment.

Kier has also introduced a range of industry-leading policies to support its people, including extending its maternity, paternity and shared parental leave, as well as providing paid leave to anyone who experiences pregnancy loss and new measures to support those going through the menopause.

The Group also offers all of its employees the ability to have two days paid leave each year to carry out volunteering activities in their local communities.

Kier is accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and has actively embraced agile working, offering it wherever possible.

Helen Redfern (pictured), Group HR director at Kier, said: “The construction industry is transforming, and we are now delivering projects faster and greener than ever before. In the West Midlands, we have a strong pipeline of work and at Kier, we are committed to breaking down barriers so that people from all backgrounds, locations and sectors can bring their skills to our industry.

“We are proud of our progressive approach to supporting our people, through career development plans, ongoing wellbeing support as well as industry-leading family friendly policies. We have vacancies within the West Midlands, and nationally, and I would encourage anyone looking for a new job or career change to consider a role within the construction industry. ”

Lauren Cooper, apprentice civil engineer working for Kier Highways in Birmingham, said: "Doing an apprenticeship has created a brilliant opportunity to start my career in civil engineering, I'm really enjoying the hands-on experience in the industry and getting involved with so many diverse projects, with the support of experienced people. ”

Kier currently employs more than 11,000 people across the UK and has one of the highest Glassdoor ratings of any construction company, with employee reviews scoring the Group highly on work/life balance, diversity and inclusion and benefits.

Last year, Kier was re-awarded ERS Gold in recognition of its ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community and it re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

The company was also named a top 100 employer by RateMyApprenticeships as well as one of the top 100 apprentice employers in the government 's Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list. Its Highways business is a Disability Confident Leader and was recently re-awarded Leaders in Diversity.

Visit Kier 's careers page to search available roles here.