It’s been 18 months since the South Africa Overhead Lines (SA OHL) Programme got off the ground. At its heart, the initiative is about strengthening the UK’s workforce by welcoming experienced professionals from overseas. We sat down with programme coordinator Liam Kildunne to find out how the journey has unfolded so far.
In its early stages, recruitment drives were held almost monthly. As the programme matured and a reliable pipeline of candidates was established, the frequency naturally decreased.
Today, the process is much more structured. We do a CV screening, followed by interviews, and finally a practical, hands-on pole assessment, in South Africa. This ensures that only candidates with the right skills and confidence working at height progress successfully through the process.
“The UK is facing a serious shortage of skilled workers, with nearly half of our current workforce due to retire in the next decade,” Liam explained. “This programme is essential at the moment. Not just to fill today’s gaps, but to protect our networks for the future.”
When it comes to recruitment, Liam believes success rests on three key qualities:
While climbing techniques in Africa differ from those used in the UK, adaptability and resilience have proven to be more important than style. Once selected, new recruits undergo a full week of intensive training, covering company induction and certifications such as Pole Top Rescue, to ensure they are site-ready from the outset.
Adjusting to life in the UK has been a challenge at times for some of our colleagues particularly with the weather. “A cold November day can be a tough welcome,” Liam laughed, “but our recruits are resilient and have quickly adapted.”
The sense of community has been vital in supporting integration. Recruits arrive in groups, which means they can lean on one another while navigating homesickness and adjusting to a new culture. At the same time, the wider team has played an active role in making them feel welcomed and appreciated.
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Michael Chihabve
Since its launch, the programme has recruited more than 100 skilled workers from Africa, beginning with the first 50 in October 2024, a milestone that gained coverage in Construction Enquirer and Nairametrics. Most recently, IES marked the one-year anniversary of the very first recruits on 19 August.
Stories like Michael’s bring the programme to life. “Michael is an incredible lad and a pleasure to work with,” Liam shared. “During his probationary review, he told us he’d never experienced such a thorough process. It made me realise that we aren’t just filling roles – we’re genuinely changing lives.”
Although it’s still early to measure long-term outcomes such as retention and career progression, the programme has already demonstrated its value in building a skilled, diverse, and future-ready workforce.
Looking five years ahead, Liam is clear about what success will mean: “We’ll have the people we need to keep our networks running and to upgrade them for the future. Just like our veteran linemen, many of our poles are over 60 years old, so it’s time for both to enjoy a well-earned retirement, while the next generation takes us forward.”
To talk to our project management team call 0161 791 1496
or email info@iesutilities.co.uk