Working in Engineering

Construction boom and government spend is creating huge demand for engineers

During 1999 engineers were in high demand especially in the UK as Millennium projects were undertaken. This skill demand has rolled on unabated due to many major commercial projects under construction and government spending programs in the UK. These include:

• Preparation and construction of the new 2012 Olympic games
• An increase in almost £1billion per year on highways and roads
• The Cross Rail transport system
• Wembley Stadium and Ashburton Grove surrounds
• AMP 4 water services and infrastructure requiring massive ongoing investment

Exacerbating this demand is the fact that 20% of the 77,000 UK registered civil engineers are working on projects abroad creating a void in the labour market. It is an employees' market with excellent opportunities and continual pressure for employers to raise salaries to attract talent.

Where people are getting work

Professional services and construction lure Australasian engineers

Large leading global engineering, construction and services companies like KBR, Black and Veatch, and Cyril Sweett that support industries like energy, petrochemicals, government services and civil infrastructure are employing Australasian engineers.

Local councils and Government agencies are also large employers

The need for planning engineers in particular in transport is quite pronounced throughout London. The skill shortage in these areas is chronic prompting the UK government to add a number of engineering capabilities to their skills shortages list. This means that those who qualify will get easier entry and longer periods of stay that can often be indefinite. These new listed key skill shortage include:

• Structural
• Rail services / Planning / Modelling / Communication / Power supply and Electrification
• Transportation and Highway / Traffic engineering / Transport planning
• Town planning

What people earn and how it stacks up

Wages and salaries are higher across the board in the UK

With such a boom on in the UK at present salaries reflect the shortage in talent. Across all areas that we assist professionals we note that salaries are a lot higher in the UK than Australia and New Zealand.

^{1. The comparison between the United Kingdom and New Zealand is how much higher or lower UK salaries are than New Zealand salaries when they are both in the same currency}

^{2. The comparison between the United Kingdom and Australia is how much higher or lower UK salaries are than Australian salaries when they are both in the same currency}

To find out your UK market worth, contact one of our consultants today.

Things you need to know to make the most of it

Helpful hints for the uninitiated

When you’re going over to the UK and looking for that elusive first job there are some things you need to know:

• Keep your professional memberships like IPENZ current while overseas
• Get suited and booted – interviews tend to be quite formal in the UK so make sure you look the part (don’t turn up in work boots and stubbies)
• Most of the contracts are around three months and tend to be rolled over again and again
  
  

No UK experience – take one step back to take two forward later

Getting a first job is priority numero uno. Don’t think that the world is going to stop for you, as the market is competitive. The thing to gun for in that elusive first role is a quality brand name for your CV, and then ratchet things up quickly later.

Most employers think that you haven’t proved yourself until you have cut it in the UK. But once you have, the pay increases and opportunities open right up. Pay increases are extremely common after six to twelve months UK experience with typical rises of up to 30%.

Brush up on your accent - you could be in for a longer stay

The relaxation of visa criteria means that many of the southern hemispheres best and brightest can now stay in the UK indefinitely.

The qualifications and work experience that engineers receive in New Zealand and Australia is also seen as a valuable resource by overseas employers. It is these factors combined with the hard working image of many antipodeans that has cemented a strong brand value for those working overseas, especially in the UK, and are the catalyst for the long term skill transfer offshore.

There is life outside of Zone 1 and it can be well paid

The large London Borough councils who employ Australian and New Zealand engineers are located in zones 2 and 3 in the likes of Camden, Hackney and Greenwich. By the way on a tube map the closer the zones are to the city the lower the number, all the way down to one.

Central government is not so central being out in zones 5 and 6 or further. Cities like Reading and Brighton have significant central government opportunities and because they are further out the rates can be good as well as giving travel allowances and bonuses. Plus because of the distance there is less competition for this work.

To speak with one of our experienced UK consultants, please contact us on uk@globalcareerlink.com.