US programme manager wants staff to work on projects like Masdar in Abu Dhabi

Construction consultant CH2M Hill is bucking global trends by taking on 500 people in Abu Dhabi in the next 12-18 months. While swathes of construction consultants are being laid off at other firms, the US company wants to double its Abu Dhabi staff, a report on ArabianBusiness.com said.

CH2M Hill's Abu Dhabi work includes programme managing the $22bn (£16bn) green city Masdar for developer Mubadala and a key role in the UAE's nuclear power plan. In October 2008 the firm won a 10-year deal from Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation to act as managing agent on the civil nuclear power programme.

The UAE has recently signed memorandums of understanding with the UK, the US, France and Japan to pave the way for these countries to advise on its nuclear plans.

In the UK, CH2M Hill is part of CLM, the London 2012 Olympics delivery partner.