Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield has announced that around 400 people will be needed with construction and refurbishment experience in order to meet its completion in late 2017.
Designed by international architects BDP, and project managed by Arcadis, the refurbishment represents is the biggest investment in Meadowhall since it opened more than 25 years ago, and has generated over 285 new roles in the three months that Laing O’Rourke has come on board as the refurbishment delivery partner. 44% of the new recruits have been employed from within the Sheffield area.
A broad range of skills are needed including project management, administration, demolition, mechanical and electrical engineering, steel fixing, glazing, lifting, security, cleaning, tiling, architectural metalwork, architectural finishes/cladding, vertical transportation and decoration.
Meadowhall has also placed seven apprentices on the project to date, having supported over 660 apprentice roles over the past five years.
Working in partnership with The Source, the centre has also arranged 46 days of training to date for employees covering subjects such as Asbestos Awareness, IOSH Managing Safely in Construction, Safety Leadership, ILM Mentoring and Training, CSCS, Transforming Construction Management, Revit BIM, Navisworks, Supervisor 2020, CDMC, Design Management, CDM 2015 and First Aid at Work.
Darren Pearce, Meadowhall centre director, said: “As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, the refurbishment is an important catalyst to support additional employment opportunities within the local community and beyond. We are keen to ensure that whilst the new refurbishment once finished offers an unrivalled shopping experience for our customers, the build also impacts positively on the local economy. We are looking forward to continuing to welcome new members to our team and support the roles the redevelopment creates.”
Once completed in 2017, the refurbishment hopes to continue to attract new brands to Meadowhall’s already strong retail offering. The latest brands to open at the centre include Jack Wills, Diesel, Kiko Milano, Lush, Goldsmith’s Boutique, Joules and Tapas Revolution. The jobs update came as luxury accessories brand Michael Kors opened a new 2,160 sq ft store at Meadowhall.
