Hays Construction - January 2010
Hotspots
Government infrastructure spending has seen companies tender for new projects. When added to their current project workload, this has created a need for Senior Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Estimators, Estimating Managers and Costing Managers.
The coming quarter
While some construction companies are still impacted by hiring freezes, others are able to recruit. We thus expect a steady rise in vacancy activity, however with the anticipated completion of major projects over the next two quarters the employer certainly has more choice.
Employer trends
Given the increased levels of employee availability, from both offshore and at a local level, employers are demanding the ideal candidate for a minimal salary. There are trends that suggest local candidates will be the preferred choice over an expatriate candidate, with only a few exceptions.
After undercutting competitors for projects, those reactive employers are struggling to find the perfect candidate at the right price. On the other hand, there are definitely employers who recognise there is no substitute for quality and are prepared to pay a competitive salary in order to secure the best talent.
Candidate trends
There has been a noticeable increase in the number of candidates returning from offshore. While this is good news for employers, these candidates often have higher salary expectations, which are not always met by employers.
