With a population of some 1 million people, and an important UK city at its centre, the county of Leicestershire offers significant opportunities for the construction industry. This has perhaps never been truer than at present, with the launch of the city of Leicester's Ashton Green Development. This sustainable regeneration scheme plans to build 3,000 new homes in the urban centre, creating a wealth of jobs for construction workers and contractors. In fact, it has recently been announced that Leicester will need 20,000 new homes over the coming years. It is also thought that residential development will encourage further commercial interest, and the city of Leicester is looking to build its profile as a leading business centre in the East Midlands region. Urban regeneration is also likely to mean development for the wider county, as affluent commuters settle in the surrounding towns and villages, looking for new accommodation, or seeking to refurbish existing homes. Furthermore, INSPIRE Leicestershire is offering grants to local businesses in rural areas to improve premises, meaning more work for builders, fitters and decorators. There are a number of recruitment agencies with expertise in the construction sector that operate in Leicestershire. Particularly if you are looking to find work in one of the bigger regeneration projects, these are often good places to look. They frequently have contracts with project leaders, and work to source the right staff, also handling the employment administration.