The Manchester based specialist has welcomed its 100th linesman as part of the initiative which has initially focused on recruiting in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

IES is looking to expand the scheme to unearth talent across the continent and is looking to take-on another 500 linesmen, jointers, fitters and engineers next year.

The firm said Africa is the perfect place to find staff because of its “established overhead line networks and English-speaking talent pools that can align with UK standards.”

Potential employees are interviewed by a network of recruiters across multiple countries and if succesful undergo training at IES’s bespoke training facility allowing them to work through the Skilled Worker Visa program with the Home Office.

IES said: “When we first identified the critical shortage of skilled overhead lines personnel in the UK, we knew that merely competing on pay wouldn’t yield a lasting solution.

“We needed a sustainable approach to address the growing demands of the industry and ensure the UK market could rely on a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.

“We launched a global initiative to search for regions with established overhead line (OHL) networks and English-speaking talent pools that could align with UK standards.

“After a comprehensive assessment, we targeted a handful of countries that fit our criteria and implemented a rigorous recruitment campaign to connect with highly qualified OHL professionals worldwide.

“Upon arrival in the UK, all recruited staff members undergo further training at our dedicated, bespoke training facility. This facility allows us to provide rigorous, job-specific preparation that ensures each team member meets the high standards required for our UK contracts, including those with Scottish Power and UK Power Networks.

“Our training emphasises safety, compliance, and role-specific skills, ensuring that all team members are fully prepared and fit for work.”