Construction Job Opportunities Scotland

Scottish Construction Outlook 2008 – 2011
Scotland may not be the first place that people think of when they are considering migrating to find construction work. However with a solid output in social housing and a number of key infrastructure projects in planning it might be worth considering.

Overview
The latest figures available for construction activity in Scotland (2006) show a breakdown across four sectors as:

• Repair and Maintenance Work 44%
• Commercial 18%
• Private 15%
• Public non-residential 9%

The key geographic centres of construction activity are:

• The central belt of Glasgow and Edinburgh and their surrounding areas
• Aberdeen which provides land support for North Sea oil rigs

Numbers employed
In 2005 there were around 17,100 construction companies in Scotland employing 137,900 people. This accounts for about six per cent of all Scottish jobs. In addition an estimated 49,000 were operating in a self-employed capacity.
The average wage in 2005 was £487pw, 13 per cent higher than the average across Scotland.
Average employment growth from 2007-2011 is predicted to be eight percent. This sets the requirement for new construction recruits at 6,830 for each year. This figure is inclusive of

• 1,450 new employees a year for wood trades and interior fit-outs and
• 810 new construction professionals and technical staff.

Projected annual construction jobs vacancies to 2011
Wood Trades and Interior Fit-outs 1,450
Electrical trades and Installations 670
Painters and Decorators 400
Bricklayers 370
Plumbing and WAC Trades 290


Hot Jobs
At present there are a number of key job candidates in high demand in Scotland.
Most sought job candidates

• Construction Professionals and Technical Staff
• Construction Managers
• Business Process Managers
• Civil Engineering Operatives
• Plant Operatives
• Specialist Building Operatives
• Wood Trades and Interior Fit-outs
• Electrical Trades and Installation
• Painters and Decorators
• Bricklayers
• Plumbing and WAC Trades
• Roofers

Future prospects
Infrastructure is predicted to grow by 6.2 per cent annually over the coming years. Much of this will be derived from the Scottish government’s planned £3 billion investment programme in road, tram and rail projects.
Good growth in public housing output is also forecast until 2009.


Sources
Scottish Enterprise, Future Skills Scotland, Construction Skills Network Model 2006: Experian, Blueprint for UK Construction Skills 2007-2011

Minister’s Gaffe increases pressure on Irish Government to deliver NDP

CIF Director General, Tom Parlon chats to Irish Environment Minister John Gormley and CIF President, Hank Fogarty at the FIEC conference in Dublin Castle


Judging by the commentary in newspapers over the weekend Stephen Staunton can relax, as there is a new ‘Gaffer’ in town. Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan’s somewhat undiplomatic proclamation that the Irish economy has come to a “shuddering stop” was greeted with unease by the delegates gathered for the FIEC European Construction Conference held in Dublin last weekend.

Addressing the conference in Dublin Castle, Construction Industry Federation (CIF) president Hank Fogarty argued that reducing infrastructure spending would be a very negative reaction. He said: “Across Europe the best solution has been to invest in infrastructure and planning to ensure future economic success.”

There is growing pressure on the Irish Government to deliver creative solutions in maintaining momentum on the €184bn National Development Plan (NDP) as opposed slamming the till shut. With the levels of employment in the Irish Construction industry still very high, it will be difficult to re-establish some level of momentum once overall market conditions improve if cutbacks in spending is the only solution the Government can present.

Hank Fogarty also challenged the Irish and other European governments to lead by example in the drive to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment.

He said: “There are a range of issues that should be used by the government to help bring about more reductions in our energy consumption. The most recent report from Sustainable Energy Ireland added to the record price for crude oil, should serve as a wake up call to all sectors of the economy with regard to tackling climate change. With the introduction of new building energy regulations from 1 July, which set out improvements in energy efficiencies of new residential buildings, there is an ideal opportunity for the Government to lead by example in the battle on energy usage. The Government, through Local Authorities, State Agencies and Government Departments has the largest property folio in the country and there is a ready-made opportunity for them to lead by example with regard to energy saving initiatives. By spearheading a programme aimed at the stock of exiting buildings the Government can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve our environment in the most efficient and cost effective way possible.”

Also speaking at the conference CIF director general Tom Parlon said that house building needed to return to a sustainable level of about 50,000 new homes a year saying “house building is a big contributor to the exchequer and these revenues would dry up if the industry stalls.” He said that trick was to get to a sustainable level of production that will keep people employed.