Alliance keen to recruit locals

The premises where the Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance will establish its Gisborne hub. Picture by Paul Rickard

The hunt is on to recruit a team of people from Tairāwhiti to help rebuild the region’s cyclone-damaged roads and bridges.

The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance was set up in July to plan, organise and deliver much of the recovery and rebuild work needed on the highway and rail networks in conjunction with local businesses and contractors.

Alliance members include Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail, Downer, Fulton Hogan and Higgins.

The TREC Alliance is gearing up for programme delivery. It is setting up systems and processes, and planning work on the ground.

“A number of roles are being advertised across Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay that are needed now, but as the programme scope and planning shapes up, the team will continue to grow and more roles will be needed,” a TREC spokesman said.

“The TREC team will come from local communities where possible and there will be many job opportunities over time.”

People can find out more by emailing jobs@trec.nz

“There will be two contracting ‘hubs’ in Napier and Gisborne and a smaller hub at Wairoa.

“The new TREC Napier office is at 180 Dalton Street and the new Gisborne office is at 37 Gladstone Road. Teams at these sites will build over time.

“There are also support hubs in Christchurch and Auckland for our design/commercial and support services teams for work that can be done remotely to support local teams.

It would avoid unnecessary travel, accommodation and relocation costs, the spokesman said.

“There will also be smaller construction site offices at various strategic locations to minimise driving time for crews and support staff.

“Local contractors, consultants and suppliers will play a key role in the programme delivery. It’s crucial for the alliance and for the rebuild of East Coast state highway and rail infrastructure that local companies and people continue to be engaged to retain this knowledge and local expertise.

“The TREC alliance has an ‘East Coast first’ philosophy, ensuring locally owned contractors are prioritised during the recovery and rebuild.

“They are a vital part of ensuring the success of the region’s recovery. Contractor sessions have been held and the TREC team is working through the registration of interest process.

“From the beginning of the recovery, we have been engaging with local companies and people with local knowledge and expertise.”

Roles being advertised include Tairāwhiti area manager, construction, engineering, managers and supervisors, administration, communications and quality control.

“Eighty people are currently working for TREC, some of whom have been seconded from Alliance partners and others who have been recruited from other organisations.

“Another 80 people will begin with TREC from October.

“More than half of the people recruited are local. TREC is advertising  for a variety of roles and is focused on getting as many local people as possible on to the TREC project.”