Category: Uncategorized

Pharmaceutical construction is undergoing a growth phase, driven by global demands for innovative healthcare solutions and sustainable pharmaceutical products. This surge is accompanied by large investments in a range of facilities across the UK and Europe, leading to new job opportunities within pharmaceutical construction companies.

If you’re a white-collar construction professional looking for jobs in Europe, you may cast your eye over these pharma construction projects and perhaps get inspiration to make your next career move.

The Limerick Drug Manufacturing Facility Project – Ireland

With a €927 million investment from US pharma giant Eli Lilly, the Limerick project is expected to create an additional 1,500 jobs during its construction phase and a further 300 jobs once it’s operational.

With its significant scale and strategic focus on manufacturing active ingredients for medicines targeting Alzheimer’s, cancer and diabetes, this project will create many job opportunities for white-collar construction workers during the construction and operational phases. 

Jobs in the Construction Phase (Q1 2023 – Q4 2026):

• Project Management: Opportunities for project managers to oversee the construction process, ensuring it meets timelines, budget and quality standards.
• Engineering Roles: Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers will be crucial for designing the facility’s infrastructure, ensuring it meets the specific requirements for drug manufacturing.
• Architectural and Design Services: Architects and designers specialising in industrial facilities could find roles in planning the layout and functional design of the facility.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Specialists in quality assurance and regulatory compliance will be needed to ensure the construction meets the stringent standards required for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Managers: Professionals focused on maintaining health and safety standards on-site and ensuring environmental compliance during construction.

Post-construction and operational phase

• Facility Management: Roles managing the daily operations, including equipment and infrastructure maintenance.
• Quality Control and Assurance: Positions focused on ensuring the products meet regulatory and company standards.
• Supply Chain and Logistics Management: Professionals managing the sourcing of raw materials and the distribution of finished products.

The Stein Drug Product Fill & Finish Manufacturing Plant – Switzerland

Lonza is pouring CHF 500 million (€500m) into its flexible fill and finish facility in Stein, Switzerland. This facility will enable the end-to-end product lifecycle management of drug substances. It aims to increase manufacturing capacity and incorporate an additional fill-finish production line, ensuring a consistent offering for clinical and commercial pharmaceutical needs. 

Jobs during the Construction Phase (Q1 2023 – Q4 2026)

• Project Management: Opportunities for project managers to oversee the construction phase, ensuring that the project adheres to timelines, budgets and quality standards.
• Engineering and Technical Roles: Mechanical, chemical and process engineers will be essential for designing and implementing the fill-finish production line and ensuring it integrates seamlessly with existing facilities.
• Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance: Specialists in this area will be vital to ensure that the construction and the resulting facility meet the stringent regulatory standards of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Managers: Professionals to enforce safety protocols on the construction site and ensure environmental compliance, minimising the project’s impact on the surrounding area.
• Architects and Construction Specialists: Skilled in the construction design of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, focusing on cleanroom environments and the specific requirements of fill-finish operations.

Jobs in the Post-construction and Operational Phase:

• Operations Management: Roles to oversee the day-to-day running of the fill-finish line, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with manufacturing practices.
• Quality Control and Assurance: Professionals who can conduct rigorous testing and quality assurance of pharmaceutical products at various stages of the fill-finish process
• Maintenance and Engineering: Specialists in maintaining and optimising the performance of the fill-finish equipment and supporting infrastructure.
• Supply Chain and Logistics Managers: To manage the procurement of raw materials and the distribution of finished products to markets or clinical trial sites.

More Pharma Construction Projects

Novo Norodisk – Denmark

Novo Norodisk has committed to investing 42 billion Danish kroner (€5.6 billion) from 2023, to expand its manufacturing facilities in Kalundborg, Denmark. Construction is expected to start at the end of 2025 and finalise in 2029, creating about 800 jobs.

The company announced another project in 2023, a new multi-product facility spanning 65,000m2 in Hillerød, Denmark and worth €2.1 billion.

Let’s Connect You With Pharmaceutical Construction Companies in Europe

It’s clear that the continued expansion of pharma manufacturing will create even more jobs in Europe, driving demand for a diverse range of construction skills and expertise.

This represents an exciting frontier for the pharmaceutical construction sector, which contributes to economic growth and plays a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future. 

Contact our team today if you’re looking for your next exciting opportunity in the Pharma construction space. We can connect you with Europe’s leading pharmaceutical construction companies and set your career on an exciting trajectory.

Battery storage jobs are set to see massive growth in the coming years, with a range of projects breaking ground in the UK and Europe. There’s so much work coming down the pipeline, it’s hard to narrow it down – but we’ll try!

If you’re not familiar with battery energy storage systems (BESS), we’ll offer a brief explanation of this crucial puzzle piece of the clean energy transition. Acting as large-scale energy reservoirs, BESS stores excess electricity generated during periods of low demand or high renewable energy output. When demand peaks or renewable sources are insufficient, the stored energy inside a BESS is released to the grid, balancing supply and demand.

With such powerful capabilities, it’s no wonder we’re seeing a boom in battery tech construction projects. In the UK, the British Energy Strategy, which has a set target of 95% low-carbon electricity by 2030, has forecast 480,000 jobs will be created over this period. These job growth projections are echoed in Europe, as indicated by Tamarindo’s Energy Storage Report, which forecasts a booming European market and a tripling of worldwide energy storage installations over the next five years.

Let’s look at some of the top battery tech construction projects across the UK and Europe in 2024 and the critical job areas providing career opportunities in this sector.

Cleve Hill Solar Project (UK)

In 2023, Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners announced the construction of Cleve Hill, the UK’s largest consented solar (373 MW) and battery storage (>150 MW) project. According to Quinbrook, the Kent-based project will support ‘2,300 direct and indirect jobs’ in the project’s lifetime as well as ‘generate more than GBP 148 million in local socio-economic benefit’. The construction of Cleve Hill is slated for completion in late 2024.

Sheaf Energy Park (UK)

Also to be located in Kent, the design for the even larger 250MW/375MWh BESS Sheaf Energy Park commenced in early 2023, developed and operated by Pacific Green. The site is located next to Pacific Green’s Richborough Energy Park, a 100MW/100MWh battery completed in late 2023. The construction of Sheaf Energy Park solidifies Kent as a future hotspot for renewable energy construction jobs.

Sunnica Solar-Plus Battery Energy Storage System (UK)

In 2019, Sunnica announced its plans for the construction of the largest lithium iron BESS to date, boasting an astonishing capacity of 500 MW. According to Sunnica, this will be sufficient to power ‘approximately 100,000 homes.’ The project is set to span across three sites in East Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk and will be commissioned in 2025. With its massive scale, the proposed BESS project is poised to create a substantial number of battery storage jobs as it enters the construction phase in 2024.

Kyon Energy Alfeld Battery Energy Storage System (Germany)

According to data from Tamarindo, Germany is expected to claim the second-largest share of lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity within the next two years, beating the US and second only to China. In November 2023, Kyon Energy claimed the ‘largest approved BESS in Europe’ set for construction in 2024 and commissioning by the end of 2025. Kyon (recently acquired by TotalEnergies) is set to build the 137.5-MW/275-MWh BESS in the German town of Alfeld in Lower Saxony.

Eneco Battery Energy Storage Project (Belgium)

In June 2023, Eneco unveiled plans for a significant battery energy storage project in Wallonia, Belgium. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, this BESS will comprise 53 Megapack energy storage units from Tesla, offering a combined capacity of 50 MW/200 MWh. With the capability to supply power to the grid for up to 4 hours, the project holds promising growth prospects for renewable energy construction jobs in the region.

Career Opportunities in Battery Tech Construction

With all these projects underway, it’s worthwhile considering the job opportunities available in battery tech, particularly if you have a construction, technical or engineering background. (If you do, we’d love to hear from you.)

1. Project Management: As the battery tech construction industry expands, there is a growing demand for skilled project managers. PMs are needed to oversee the planning, execution, and completion of battery energy storage projects, ensuring they align with safety standards, budget constraints and overall deadlines.
2. Electrical Engineering: Battery tech construction is all about electrical systems, making electrical engineers essential for designing, implementing, and maintaining the electrical infrastructure of BESS facilities. This includes working on the integration of batteries with the power grid and ensuring optimal performance.
3. Construction Management: Construction managers are playing a crucial part in bringing projects from the blueprint to reality. As with other construction specialities, BESS require CMs to oversee the construction process, manage resources and ensure safety and quality standards are met.
4. Environmental and Safety Compliance: Professionals specialising in environmental compliance and safety management are also in demand for battery projects, to ensure work adheres to environmental regulations, safety protocols and sustainable practices.
5. Technicians and Maintenance: Last but certainly not least, technicians will play an increasingly important role in the everyday functioning of battery energy storage systems. Installation, maintenance and repair of battery tech demands skilled technicians with battery know-how. This includes monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, and implementing upgrades.

Discover Europe’s Best Battery Storage Jobs

If you’re a construction or engineering professional looking for renewable energy construction jobs across the UK and Europe, look no further. Here at Konstrukt, we specialise in Battery Tech Construction jobs and work with a broad range of innovative organisations! Contact us today to make your next career move in this exciting industry.

The construction industry is the lifeblood of the European Union’s economy, serving as the leading industrial employer and contributing significantly to GDP.

As the construction industry undergoes a transformative phase, with more businesses focusing on sustainability and digitalisation, certain European countries are emerging as frontrunners in providing lucrative opportunities for construction professionals.

As many as 1.5 million additional workers will be needed to fill construction jobs in Europe between 2023 and 2030, marking the Eurozone as a bright spot for career opportunities.

Whether you’re after a change of scenery or simply a higher pay packet, it’s worth exploring which countries offer the best construction jobs in Europe.

Switzerland: Where Stability Meets Prosperity

Topping the list is Switzerland, renowned for its economic and political stability. The Swiss construction sector is growing, fueled by government investments in infrastructure, residential and renewable energy projects. Despite a high cost of living, construction workers in Switzerland enjoy above-average salaries, with an annual average income of €76,591. A commendable safety incident rate of 13% on construction sites makes Switzerland an undisputed leader in providing a safe and rewarding environment for construction professionals.

Overview:

• Annual salary: €76,591 /year
• Cost of living: €6,000 /month
• Safety incident rate: 13%
• Quality of life: ranked 6th in the EU

Belgium: High Standards, High Quality of Life

Belgium stands out with exceptionally high living, healthcare and educational standards. As one of the world’s safest and most peaceful countries, Belgium attracts a range of construction workers seeking a secure and prosperous future. The country offers competitive salaries, averaging €49,545 per year, offsetting a relatively high cost of living. With a growing construction industry projected to reach $94.5 billion by 2024, Belgium’s open economy and comfortable living standards make it an enticing destination for construction professionals.

Overview:

• Annual salary: €49,545 /year
• Cost of living: €3,200 /month
• Safety incident rate: 12%
• Quality of life: ranked 19th in the EU

Netherlands: Charming Neighbourhoods and Industry Growth

The Dutch construction industry contributes around €70 billion to the local economy, accounting for 4.5% of GDP, and is expanding rapidly. Despite being the 8th most expensive country to live in, the Netherlands provides an attractive balance between cost and quality of life. Construction workers can earn an average salary of €38,258, which, combined with relatively low incident rates, positions the country as a viable option for those seeking ample job opportunities and a comfortable lifestyle.

Additionally, the Netherlands is an exemplar of health and safety for construction sites across Europe, consistently reporting some of the lowest fatal incident rates in the EU. In 2021, they reported 0.33 fatalities per 100,000 persons employed.

Overview:

• Annual salary: €38,258 /year
• Cost of living: €3,306 /month
• Safety incident rate: 15%
• Quality of life: ranked 2nd in the EU

France: A Traditionally Strong Construction Market

France (along with Germany and the UK) stands as one of the largest construction markets in Europe, contributing significantly to the industry’s overall value added. With salaries higher than many other European countries, France offers construction workers a chance to benefit from its high standards and well-established industry. The country’s commitment to maintaining a robust and safe construction sector makes it an appealing destination for professionals in the field.

Overview:

• Annual salary: €31,735 /year
• Cost of living: €3,407 /month
• Safety incident rate: 11%
• Quality of life: ranked 21st in the EU

Italy: Rising from Challenges with Opportunities

Despite being one of the worst-affected countries by COVID-19, Italy is on the path to recovery, creating substantial job opportunities in the construction sector. With a low cost of living, low incident rates and salaries averaging €28,019 per year, Italy provides an optimistic outlook for construction workers looking to join a resilient workforce and enjoy a rewarding lifestyle in the sun.

Overview:

• Annual salary: €28,019 /year
• Cost of living: €3,407 /month
• Safety incident rate: 13%
• Quality of life: ranked 6th in the EU

Germany: Europe’s Leading Construction Market

Boasting the largest building stock and holding the position as Europe’s leading construction market, Germany presents a compelling option for construction workers. The country offers above-average construction earnings, a low cost of living, and a wealth of construction projects, making it a sound decision for anyone looking to advance their career.

Overview:

• Annual salary: €29,214  /year
• Cost of living: €3,223 /month
• Safety incident rate: 11%
• Quality of life: ranked 11th in the EU

Your Gateway to European Opportunities 

Europe’s construction industry is ever-changing, with each country presenting unique opportunities and advantages for construction workers. From Switzerland’s stability to Germany’s robust markets, each destination offers a distinct blend of earning potential, workplace culture and quality of life. If you’re looking into construction jobs in Europe, look no further than Konstrukt – your expert recruiter for construction in the pharmaceutical, data, and battery tech industries. We understand the unique needs of construction professionals and are committed to matching your skills with the perfect opportunity. Connect with us today and unlock the doors to a world of possibilities!

The benefits of being a construction contractor in the Netherlands are many and varied, from an affordable cost of living and quality healthcare system, to low commute times and crime rates.

In fact, the Netherlands is consistently ranked in the top three in Numbeo´s global Quality Of Life Index. Add to that the OECD Better Life Index reporting comparatively high employment rates, whilst nearly 0% of employees work very long hours in paid work — well below the OECD average of 10%.

Workers with young families will be pleased to know that the Netherlands was ranked the ninth best country in the world for raising children, based on overall happiness and access to a quality education system.

It´s no surprise then that Data, Pharma, and Battery Tech Construction professionals in the UK and Europe are looking for opportunities in this part of the world.

In this article, we´ll answer some of the top questions asked by professionals looking to become contractors in the Netherlands.

 

Do I Need a Work Permit?

To understand how to get contracting work in the Netherlands, it pays to be familiar with the work permit requirements in the country. These will vary according to several factors, including your nationality:

British Citizens

British nationals who were already living and working in the Netherlands on 1 January 2021 are permitted to stay in the country as long as they were registered with the Basisregistratie Personen – BRP (Personal Records Database) as of 31 December 2020. This also applies to family members if they are British citizens.

However, all British citizens who plan to live in the Netherlands after this deadline are subject to a number of different regulations. In summary:

• If you will be working in the Netherlands for less than 90 days, your employer must apply for a tewerkstellingsvergunning – TWV (work permit)
• If you will be working in the Netherlands for more than 90 days, your employer must apply for a gecombineerde vergunning voor verblijf en arbeid – GVVA (combined residence and work permit) (in Dutch) for you from the IND. 

Based on this information, it´s best to secure a job in the Netherlands before moving there. We work with a number of Dutch and international companies based in the Netherlands, so we can help you find your next role before you leave the UK.

EU/EEA (including Switzerland) Members

As an EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland national, if you plan to stay for more than four months, you need to register with the local authority where you are living. You´ll need to bring a valid passport, prove you have sufficient means of support and a certificate of medical insurance.

As a contractor, you can either secure a role before arriving or demonstrate you have enough money in your bank account to live in the Netherlands while searching for your next opportunity.

Applying for Your BSN (burgerservicenummer)

The burgerservicenummer, or BSN, is a unique ‘citizen service number’ for each individual living in the Netherlands. You’ll need a BSN to start working, open a bank account and access the Dutch healthcare system.

To apply for a BSN, you will need documents such as your proof of identity (passport), residence permit, employment contract, and the registration with the municipality you’ll be living in. (Note: anyone staying in the Netherlands for more than four months is required to register with their local municipality within five days of arriving in the country.)

Opening a Bank Account

Having a Netherlands bank account will enable you to pay rent and earn income while in the country. To open an account, you’ll need to show proof of your identity, BSN, address and in some cases, your income.

This is where your work and residency permits will come in handy. Combine these with your passport and rental agreement when starting your application. You can apply for a bank account online or in-person, depending on which bank you’ve chosen.

Finding Accommodation

The most populous areas of the Netherlands, especially the Randstad (the area around Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht), and university cities have the most accommodation options but tend to be more expensive.

When renting, it´s important to know you must cover both your basic rent and service charges, such as petrol, water and lighting. A maximum rent is agreed upon for each property using a points system. Before you sign an agreement, ensure you understand whether your rent includes utilities and services or not.

If you’ve fallen in love with the Netherlands and want to buy a property in the country, we suggest contacting local banks or mortgage advisors to gain the most up to date information. Most mortgages are for a duration of 30 years and prices are higher in more popular, higher-demand areas.

 

Transport in the Netherlands

Life in the Netherlands is synonymous with cycling, with the number of bicycles outstripping the number of residents. This might sound impossible, but research shows the Netherlands has a population of 17 million and 23 million bicycles!

If cycling is not for you, the Netherlands offers an extensive public transport network that is efficient and affordable. Major cities are connected by the NS train network, and you´ll also be able to find buses to regional areas and smaller towns. Within the bigger cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam, you can also travel around by tram.

All public transport can be accessed using the OV-chipkaart, the national smart-card payment system.

Personal Income Tax

Your tax situation in the Netherlands will vary according to your work and residence status. If you are working as a contractor engaged by an agency, the agency will manage payroll on your behalf.

Or, you may opt to sign up with an umbrella company to work as a contractor, which means the umbrella company will handle employment sponsorship and tax payments for you.

The other (least recommended) option is to work independently and manage your own tax payments. However, this is a tricky prospect for most contractors, as you’ll need an employer sponsor to obtain a necessary work permit. It’s more difficult to find sponsorship if you’re completely solo.

Get Expert Help

To maximise the benefits of being a construction contractor in the Netherlands, engaging the services of a recruitment agency with strong ties to the EU is your best bet! Here at Konstrukt, our specialities include hiring contractor professionals for a wide array of Data, Pharma, and Battery Tech Construction projects in Europe. Contact us today for expert help on starting a contracting role without the paperwork hassles.

Data centres are the beating heart of our digital economy. These facilities are marvels of modern engineering and the pace at which they are evolving is nothing short of astounding. In Europe, data centre construction is experiencing astronomical growth, driven by the increasing need for data storage and artificial intelligence capabilities. It’s an exciting time for the industry and fascinating to watch this proliferation.

All that growth equates to demand for data centre construction professionals, from site managers to project engineers and an array of other essential construction jobs. We’ll highlight a few juggernaut projects that are set to ramp up data centre construction jobs to unprecedented levels.

Microsoft – Germany, Ireland

One of the world’s largest tech businesses is going all-in with data centre construction projects in Europe, due to its urgent need for artificial intelligence infrastructure. Microsoft has committed €3.2 billion to double its data capacity for its existing site in Frankfurt and a new project in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, Microsoft is also developing plans for a new campus in County Kildare, southwest of Dublin. Whilst the details of the project’s size aren’t available yet, the company will be in similar company within the region, with the Davy Group and the Liffey Sub-Fund to build four new data centre buildings over a total area of approximately 219,722 km2 within the county.

Google – Finland

Located in Hamina, Finland, one of Google’s largest data centres in Europe is marked for an expansion, with a €1 billion investment announced for the project. Driven by Google’s business focus on AI, the Hamina expansion will involve collaboration with local energy companies to feed excess heat into a network of pipes to warm homes in the local area. Depending on the outcome of the project, Google expects to use Hamina as a sustainable model for future data centre constructions.

Virtus – UK

Virtus Data Centres has planned a state-of-the-art, 100% renewable-powered data centre campus in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire, near the existing data centre hub in Slough, west of London. Covering a 50-acre plot, the construction timeline is expected to end by mid-2026. It will span four data centres overall and will reportedly include its own substation.

NTT – France & Germany

NTT is going all-out in Europe. The IT services business is developing its third data centre campus in Berlin, covering 10.8 hectares and with a planned capacity of 96MW of load, with construction expected to start in 2025. It’s also developing its first campus in Paris on a 14.4-hectare site, running 84MW across three data centres. These builds are part of a global expansion that involves US$10 billion worth of investment.

Global Switch – London

Global Switch is expanding its data centre in Docklands with an extra 27,000 square metres of technical space, growing the campus to 115,000 square metres over five floors and delivering 40MW of power.

The company says its expansion is designed to provide high power density suitable for HPC and AI deployments, with options for both air and liquid cooling available.

Global Switch’s London executive group director, Adam Eaton, says the company is committed to using 100% renewable electricity and has the potential to export heat to the local community.

Skanska – Norway

The town of Telemark in Norway will see a massive new data centre project, with Google-owned WS Computing AS signing on Norwegian builder Skanska to construct a US$96 million facility in 2025. Details are somewhat thin at this stage, but Skanska has revealed new road infrastructure will be built for the project, giving a clue about its size.

Quetta Data Centres – Spain & Portugal

Azora and Core Capital have poured €500 million into the construction of the Quetta Data Centres platform, a network of six data centres across Spain and Portugal. Quetta has already begun construction of the first data centre in Madrid and the entire project is expected to exceed 60 MW, using 100% renewable electricity.

Find Data Centre Construction Jobs with Konstrukt

The growth of the data centre industry in Europe is a testament to the sector’s ability to innovate and adapt. The challenges of increasing power demands, the need for sustainable practices, and the urgency of rapid construction are driving activity in this sector, along with the demand for specialist construction professionals to build them.

If you’re a data centre construction professional ready for a change or are looking to hire a data centre project manager for your next facility build, contact the team at Konstrukt. As Europe’s experts in data centre construction recruitment, we speak your language and know what it takes to see projects succeed. Contact us today to get started.