Industry context
Construction labour markets remain structurally constrained across most economies. Certified trade availability, regional turnover, and programme density together produce persistent gaps between published vacancies and confirmed mobilisations. When these gaps span more than one trade or one project phase, the cost compounds across the schedule, the budget, and the contractor risk profile.
Werklist operates a dedicated sourcing function for construction. The function combines an active candidate database, a network of regional recruitment partners, and direct international sourcing through licensed routes. Each candidate introduced to a client is screened against trade experience, project type, documentation status, language level, and availability. Werklist coordinates the introduction. The legal employment relationship sits with the client.
Trades within scope
Werklist sources twelve core construction profiles across residential, commercial and infrastructure projects. Specialisations and project context below are indicative, not exhaustive; specific certification and standards thresholds are agreed at intake.
| Trade | Scope | Technical specialisations | Project context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricklayers | Blockwork, brickwork and concrete element installation. | Solid masonry, cavity wall systems, fair-faced finishes, restoration work. | Residential, commercial, light infrastructure. |
| Carpenters and formwork carpenters | Formwork, timber structures, structural support work. | Wall formwork, slab formwork, climbing and jump-form systems, roof carpentry. | Commercial, residential, civil engineering. |
| Steel fixers | Cutting, bending and placing reinforcement. | Coded reinforcement to BS/EN standards, post-tensioning support, bar bending schedules. | Concrete structures, infrastructure, high-rise. |
| Concrete workers | Pouring, finishing and supporting concrete work. | Power trowelling, exposed aggregate, polished concrete, screed placement. | All sectors. |
| Welders | Process welding for steel and infrastructure. | MIG/MAG (135), TIG (141), MMA (111), structural and pipework welding. | Steel frame, mechanical, infrastructure. |
| Plasterers and facade workers | Internal plaster, external render, facade systems. | Mineral and silicone renders, ETICS, ventilated facade systems. | Commercial, residential. |
| Roofers | Pitched, flat and metal roofing, repair work. | Membrane (TPO, EPDM), single-ply, tile, slate, metal standing seam. | Residential, commercial, industrial. |
| Equipment operators | Heavy plant operation, subject to verified experience. | Excavator, crane (mobile and tower), loader, telehandler, forklift, dumper. | Civil, infrastructure, building. |
| Construction electricians | Site installation, wiring, temporary supply, maintenance. | First and second fix, temporary site supply, low-voltage and three-phase. | All sectors. |
| Plumbers | Water, drainage, heating and basic mechanical installation. | Pressed and threaded systems, soil and waste, underfloor heating, copper. | Residential, commercial. |
| General labourers | Material handling, site preparation, daily site support. | All-trades support, banksman duties, site maintenance. | All sectors. |
| Site supervisors and foremen | Crew coordination, daily planning, quality and safety oversight. | Programme management, toolbox talks, sub-contractor coordination, HSE oversight. | All sectors. |
Pipelines
Sourcing begins in the local market in the client's country. Where a role cannot be filled locally at the speed or volume the project requires, regional and international pipelines are activated through partner networks. Pipeline selection depends on the trade, the timeline, the language requirement, and the work location.
| Pipeline | What it is | When activated | Screening focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | Candidates already resident in the client's country with full right to work. | Default first pipeline on every brief, regardless of project size. | Trade experience, availability window, references and site readiness. |
| Regional | Candidates from neighbouring countries with established trades training and existing labour-mobility frameworks. | When local supply is constrained and short mobilisation cycles are required. | Trade fit, document readiness, language level, willingness to relocate. |
| International | Candidates sourced through vetted partners under ethical recruitment standards. No fees charged to workers, transparent contracts, full documentation. Permit and relocation steps are coordinated with licensed partners. | For specialist trades or volume hiring that local and regional pipelines cannot meet. | Trade experience, certifications, language level, documentation readiness, project fit. |
Operating process
A defined six-stage process applied to every brief. Stage definitions sit within Werklist scope; legal employment, payroll and permit issuance remain with the client and licensed partners.
- 01
Role intake
Structured discovery to define trade requirements, project type, site location, mobilisation date, contract model, certification thresholds, and language expectations. Output: an actionable brief.
- 02
Search activation
Activation across the existing candidate database, recruiter network and regional partners. Local market is the default first lane; international sourcing is opened only when the brief requires it.
- 03
Screening
Trade experience verification, document review, references where available, language assessment, and work-readiness check. Candidates do not progress until screening is complete.
- 04
Shortlist
A focused shortlist with candidate dossier, trade notes, availability window, and any flags identified during screening. Shortlist size is calibrated to the role, not padded.
- 05
Interviews
The client conducts interviews, trade tests and practical assessments. Werklist coordinates scheduling, translation where required, and feedback collection.
- 06
Selection support
Werklist coordinates between client, candidate and recruitment partners until the hiring decision is finalised. Permit, mobility and relocation steps are coordinated with licensed partners where applicable.
Pre-introduction screening
Every shortlist passes the same screen. Items below are reviewed and noted on the candidate dossier before introduction to the client.
- Relevant trade experience
- Project type and sector experience
- Availability and mobilisation date
- Working language level for the site
- Certifications and trade tickets where required
- Equipment and machine experience with type
- References where available
- Work readiness and site fitness
- Location and relocation preference
- Match against documented client requirements