South Africa's most wanted construction recruits

It looks like there will be many construction professionals who can beat their national soccer teams to South Africa for the 2012 South African FIFA World Cup. Constructionjobs.ie can confirm that demand is growing for appropriately qualified and experienced senior construction professionals.
Recruits most in demand include:

• Experienced construction contracts managers
• Experienced commercial managers
• Experienced Construction Senior Project Managers and
• Experienced Senior Civil Engineers

Click here for the full story: Construction managers and engineers top South Africa's most wanted list

Click here for the latest construction jobs in Africa


Source: Stefanutti Stocks

Click here to contact Stefanutti Stocks directly

Working Abroad Expo

If you are thinking about attending the Working Abroad Expo at the RDS in Dublin today or tomorrow (21 and 22 March) I'd get the skates on. I was there when it opened at 10 this morning and already there were queues of people happily handing over their €10 to get in.

Inside the scene was no different. Within 15 minutes there long queues forming at most stands. What is most striking about the event is the number of young couples talking about emigrating together, not as a result of the failure to get a job in Ireland, but more with a sense of anticipation at the exciting move that lies ahead.

Exhibitors at the event include organizations offering construction jobs, engineering jobs and mining jobs in Canada, specifically Alberta. The two people manning this stand looked like they could do with some help to cope with the throngs looking for work opportunities in Canada. Elsewhere the New Zealand jobs stand was looking for construction project engineers, project managers and construction managers for a major residential development and infrastructure projects and the group tradesrecognition.com was offering assistance to those who may need a liitle help to meet the qualification criteria for construction jobs in Australia.

CIF’s Top 10 Tips to Revive the Irish Economy

The Irish Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has says it has given the Irish Government a get out of jail free card with a 10 point plan to revive the ailing Irish economy and recreate the construction jobs being lost in the current downturn. And all of this will come at no cost to the Irish exchequer. CIF Director General Tome Parlon says: “the 10-point economic plan would cost the Exchequer nothing and in reality would generate significant revenue flows”.

CIF’s 10-Point Plan

1. Stamp Duty holiday for homebuyers until end of 2009 In order to increase the volume of property transactions in 2009, thereby supporting the flow of VAT and other property-related taxes, and re-igniting private consumer-led economic activity, stamp duty on transactions of residential property should be halted until 2010.

2. Tax credit scheme for first- time buyers Mechanisms to release the volume of VAT tied up in built but unsold houses would provide a significant boost to Exchequer receipts and support the national economic recovery.

3. Deliver on planned direct Exchequer capital spending, with particular focus on labour intensive projects within the National Development Plan
Falling construction activity has resulted in lower tender prices across the construction sector, providing the State with a narrow window of opportunity. Because of the enormous labour-intensity of construction work, investment in public building has an immediate payback in terms of employment taxes and wider induced economic and employment activity.

4. Use off-balance sheet funding mechanisms to bring forward additional projects 80% of all Irish pension funds are invested overseas, and mechanisms must be explored to prevent this further flight of capital out of Ireland into overseas property.

5. Stamp duty holiday for commercial developments until end of 2009 In order to attract investment into Irish commercial property, Stamp Duty should be abolished for all property transactions in 2009. Because there are no transactions taking place in any case, this abolition will be cost-neutral, but will promote competitiveness of Irish commercial property compared to our competitor economies.

6. Expedite processing of planning applications at local authority and An Bord Pleanala level Hundreds of planning applications for small-scale residential improvement works and other larger labour intensive developments are currently delayed within the planning system. These applications should be prioritised and dealt with within the statutory time period.

7. Employers holiday on PRSI and PAYE payments to help reduce unemployment Unemployment is going to be the most vicious consequence of this recession. As workers in all sectors of the economy move from being contributors of taxation through their employment to recipients of social welfare benefits, the Exchequer faces a double blow. The most immediate way of countering this is to reduce the costs of PRSI and PAYE contributions during the next year.

8. Prevent banks from stopping overdrafts without six months' notice Construction is an investment activity and as such the banking sector has an important role in ensuring that investment in construction projects can be commenced and continue though the construction cycle. Irish businesses, across all sectors, are facing significant difficulties when dealing with their banks, whose willingness to deliver on their promises no longer exists. Just as with the planning system, a number of employment-protecting construction jobs are ready to commence if only the banking sector would re-open the normal lending procedures.

9. Remove cap on tax deductibility for charitable donations Charitable donations are a vital source of income for all charities in Ireland. But current regulation does not allow charities or corporations to maximise the impact of these charitable donations. Government should instigate reforms to remove the cap on tax deductibility for Irish companies who donate to registered Irish charities.

10. Slash top VAT rate to below UK's until end of 2009 Competition between leading European economies is growing as the volume of world economic activity falls. Ireland’s prohibitively high VAT regime undermines Irish competitiveness compared to the United Kingdom. To prevent further flights of investment from Ireland to Northern Ireland or Great Britain, the top rate of VAT in Ireland should be reduced to below that of the United Kingdom for the remainder of the year.


Click here for the latest Irish Construction Jobs

UK construction workers urged to “go nuclear”

In the UK retrenched construction workers are being encouraged to upskill to meet the growing recruitment requirements of the UK’s nuclear industry. UK based recruitment firm Scantec Personnel, says the nuclear sector is bucking the recession and has a massive demand for work.

Adam Spelman, the head of Scantec’s nuclear division, said UK-wide opportunities are being created by the Government’s multi billion pound decommissioning programme as well as the construction of a new generation of reactors. He said skills in demand included a wide range of engineers, skilled tradesmen and surveyors.

“The recession is wreaking havoc with the jobs market,” said Adam. “So the key phrase we are repeating to workers is ‘transferable skills’. That is what employers are looking for. Real long term, well paid opportunities exist in the nuclear industry as well as the oil and gas and the bio mass sector.

Click here for the latest UK construction jobs

"It is important to point out that these sectors are willing to train up staff who have core skills. It is these sectors that workers in the decimated motor industry, construction trade need to look. The advice to workers is talk to recruitment specialists, send in your CV and see how you can pick up work.”

Wind generates construction jobs as well as power

According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA): “In 2008, more wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity generating technology.” Statistics released by the EWEA show that 43 percent of all new electricity generating capacity built in the European Union last year was wind energy, exceeding all other technologies including gas, coal and nuclear power. A total of 19,651MW of new power capacity was constructed in the EU last year. Out of this, 8,484MW (43 percent) was wind; 6,932 MW (35 percent) gas; 2,495 MW (13 percent) oil; 762 MW (four percent) coal and; 473MW (two percent) hydropower capacity.

EWEA claims. “for the first time, wind energy is the leading technology in Europe. A total of 64,949MW of installed wind energy capacity was operating in the EU by end 2008, 15% higher than in 2007.

The EWEA's says wind power is the fastest growing technology in Europe for the first time came as it emerged that the US overtook Germany in 2008 to become the world's number one wind power installer.

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) says China, whose capacity doubled for the fourth year in a row, was set to reach second place by 2010 – meeting its 2020 target of 30GW 10 years ahead of schedule.

EWEA's figures come at a period of heightened EU debate over the role of nuclear power, with France recently awarding the contract for its second EPR (European Pressurised Reactor) to state-owned EDF.

Click here for the latest European construction jobs opportunities

Africa may be next construction jobs hotspot

Investment in Africa is on the rise, as the continent would appear to be marginally affected by the economic crises sweeping the world.

UAE ports specialist DP World is the latest company looking to increase its investments in Africa to offset the downturn in other parts of the world. The company already has interests in Nigeria, Senegal, Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa and is the operator behind the planned £1.5bn London Gateway port in the UK.

Click here for the latest construction professional jobs in Africa

South Africa commits billions to creating residential construction jobs

Housing and the eradication of informal settlements are at the forefront of rteh Sout African government's infrastructure investment plans, according Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

In his 2009 Budget Speech the Minister indicated that in the next three years, infrastructure grants to municipalities will total R67 bn (€5.2bn), and a further R45 bn (€3.5bn) will be spent on the country’s Breaking New Ground housing programme.

"Together with investment in roads and public transport, these constitute one of the largest areas of expansion of public sector spending, and are rightly prioritised as part of our response to the current deterioration in employment and economic activity," said the minister.

In South Africa, housing delivery increased rapidly between 1994 and 99 and more than 721 813 houses were built in the first five years and more than 892 699 units were built in the second five years.


To address housing needs, particularly in rural areas, the Department of Housing facilitated the delivery of approximately 186,000 incremental housing opportunities between 2004 and 2008 through housing finance provided by the National Housing Finance Development Institutions. During the period from 2004 to 2008, through Breaking New Ground, an estimated 311 600 direct South African construction job opportunities were created in addition to a further 290 750 indirect construction job opportunities, making a total of 602 350 construction job opportunities.

Click here for the latest construction professional jobs in Africa

Irish Construction professionals seek Russian Olympic construction job opportunities

In 2007, China was the coffee shop of Irish business (In Beijing you couldn’t turn a corner without bumping into someone from Ireland looking for a business opportunity). In 2008, the UAE and Saudi Arabia came in to focus, and numerous construction professionals took advantage of good value long haul flights to seek out opportunities in the Middle East. But in 2009 it may be Russia that becomes the next haunt of the somewhat smaller army of Irish developers, architects and engineers who are looking for the next big deal. And there is still plenty of business to be done.

Enterprise Ireland (EI) has become the advance guard of Irish industry, looking to build sustainable business relationships for Irish firms on foreign soils and sands. EI recently brought a group of Irish architects and engineers on trips to Saudi Arabia and Russia.

The delegation of Irish engineers and architects that traveled to Russia visited the little known resort of Sochi, in Southern Russia, which will host the Winter Olympics in 2014. There is after all €2.2bn in deals up for grabs in Sochi.

The group that traveled to Saudi Arabia was looking at ways to get involved in Saudi Arabia’s Grand Designs including an environmental city.

EI, in conjunction with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland (RIAI) and Engineers Ireland has embarked on a number of “Leadership for Growth” programmes aimed at exporting the expertise garnered by Irish construction firms, Irish architects and Irish engineers in the past few years.

EI says nearly 100 company executives are completing the Enterprise Ireland’s international selling programme, which is made up of eight training modules.

See also Exporting the Tiger


Click here for the latest construction professional jobs

€900m schools programme could create 3,300 construction jobs

Irish Minister for Education Batt O’Keefe TD has said that up to 3,300 Irish construction jobs could be created in 2009 through the Government’s €900m schools building programme.
Up to €580m has been allocated for construction and upgrading of new primary and post-primary schools. Third level facilities have been allocated €265million.

Minister O Keefe surmises: “Some economic commentators work to the principle that every €255,000 of investment in construction activity is likely to generate a single job. Applying this theory to my capital programme should ensure that around 3,300 construction jobs will be secured this year.”

A number of schools are planned for construction in 2009 as part of the public-private partnership (PPP) programme.

Other relevant stories

Maynooth university library project to create 150 new Irish construction jobs

Job opportunities in education rollout


Click here for the latest construction jobs in Ireland

2,000 construction jobs for North Dublin

The Irish construction industry may not after all be in a free falling downturn. In 2009 the Irish construction industry has dusted itself down from the hammering it took in 2008 and a number of significant Irish construction jobs opportunities will emerge in the coming months. Foremost amongst these construction job opportunities will be Treasury Holdings’ €800m Spring Cross, Ballymun Town Centre regeneration scheme.

The developer expects to get to work on the final part of the Ballymun Regeneration scheme in North Dublin in the coming months, and says that 2,000 construction jobs will be created by the development during the projects three-year construction programme, which will finish in 2012.

The development will include over 60,000 sq m of retail space, 28,000 sq m of office space and over 11,000 sq m of leisure facilities.

Click here to view the latest Irish construction jobs opportunities

Most popular construction jobs 2009

In terms of the most sought jobs through constructionjobs.ie in 2008, construction project managers jobs have featured prominently on all lists between June and December 2008. So, it should come as no surprise that it is the most popular job at constructionjobs.ie at the end of 2008.

Elsewhere in the chart, quantity surveyor, civil engineering and construction manager positions have all performed well during the year.

Based on our projected construction job opportunities in 2009 expect to see site management positions grow in prominence. If funding can be secured for infrastructural works across Europe, USA and Canada construction managers, civil engineers and QS's should enjoy a wealth of opportunity as the year proceeds.

Civil engineers and project managers should also find job opportunities in Australia and the Middle East. Engineers and experienced trades people will be much in demand in Australia and Canada, while Poland and Ukraine will continue their drive to attract experienced tradespeople and civil engineers home to meet their infrastructural requirements for the 2012 UEFA European Championships.

Top 10 constructionjob.ie Construction Job Applications December 08
Construction : Project Management
Construction : Quantity Surveying / QS
Construction : Civil Engineering
Construction : Construction Management
Construction : Health & Safety
Construction : Electrical Engineering
Construction : Site Management
Construction : Contracts Management
Construction : Site Engineering
Construction : Planning


Top 10 constructionjob.ie Construction Job Applications June
Construction : Project Management
Construction : Quantity Surveying/QS
Construction : Health & Safety
Construction : Civil Engineering
Construction : Site Engineering
Construction : Site Management
Construction : Foreperson
Construction : Construction Management
Design : CAD
Construction : Planning
Construction : CAD/ Electrical Engineering

Seven UK Construction Sectors to Watch in 2009

Several high profile construction projects will require an array of experienced construction professionals over the next 18 months. The UK’s ConstructionSkills Network is predicting over 40,000 new construction jobs will be created every year between 2009 and 2013, with the north-east benefiting with the creation of 1,700 new construction jobs year on year. North east infrastructure projects, such as the £260m New Tyne Crossing and Building Schools for the Future programme are two construction areas that will drive construction recruitment activity over the next four years.

Click here to find the latest UK construction job opportunities

Key UK Construction Recruitment Opportunities to watch in 2009

Crossrail
The £16bn Crossrail project, the largest civil engineering project in Europe, is the most exciting infrastructure projects of 2009. The rail scheme, running from Maidenhead in the west, to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, has been in planning for 20 years. The £300m to 400m project delivery partner role will be announced in March. Enabling works frameworks will be awarded in the same month, while contracts notices for the main works will be published in summer next year.

Key Crossrail Construction Job Opportunities in 2009: Senior Estimator, Planner, Civil Engineer


London Olympics 2012
Activity is increasing steadily on the Olympic Park. The latest figures show that of the 2,701 strong workforce currently working on the Olympic Park. Milestones to be achieved by summer include completing the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre foundations.
Up to 9,000 construction workers will be needed at the peak of construction on the Olympic Park in 2009/2010.

Key London Olympics Construction Job Opportunities in 2009: Planner/Senior Planner, Senior Quantity Surveyor, Civil Engineer

Energy
Seven new nuclear power plants are planned for construction over the coming years with individual budgets of £600m each. A £1bn coal-fired power station, Kingsnorth plant proposed by Eon, is also expected to receive government approval in the New Year. A number of other power companies have also outlined plans for coal-fired stations and are waiting to see what happens to the EON project.

Key UK Energy Construction Job Opportunities in 2009. Senior Quantity Surveyor, Mechanical Service Engineer, Contracts Manager, HVAC Engineer


Education
The UK Government's £45bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme has set a number of priorities for the next 18 months. The administering body Partnerships for Schools (PfS) recently reported a number of new entrants a growing number of companies entering the area. The programme is being fast tracked with local authorities now able to bring their BSF schemes forward for early inclusion. The European Investment Bank has offered to provide 50percent of funding for up to five BSF schemes. But another 18 schemes will also need funding by the end of 2009.
The PfS £2bn National Academy framework delivers capital- funded Academy school schemes and smaller BSF schemes, typically under £150m. The framework is due to be renewed in 2009, doubling in size to a £4bn pipeline of work. The six leading companies in the market are Carillion; Balfour Beatty; Kier, Laing O'Rourke; Wilmott Dixon and Skanska.

Key UK Education Construction Job Opportunities in 2009: Quantity Surveyor, Contracts Manager, Construction Health and Safety Manager


Healthcare
Small and medium-sized healthcare schemes will be the order of the day in 2009. This covers contracts with a value of under £100m, which can be procured much quicker than larger scale PFI projects. Fourteen firms are currently bidding for up to 10 places on the new £1bn framework, known as NHS Express LIFT. The deal will run for two years with a two-year extension option. Key companies include Eric Wright; Laing O'Rourke; Vinci; Skanska;Costain; Miller; and Morgan Sindall.

Key UK Healthcare Construction Job Opportunities in 2009: Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, Architect

Roads
Site-clearance has started on the £5bn privately-funded M25 widening scheme. Balfour Beatty head up the ConnectPlus consortium on the Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO). The project will be fully operational during 2009. There are another four projects, with a total value of £325m that can expect starts in 2009:
£30m improvements to the A180/A160 junction near Immingham Port.
£100m A46 dualling between Newark and Widmerpool.
£30m of improvements to the A12 between the M25 and Ipswich.
£165m south east Manchester relief road.

Key UK Roads Construction Job Opportunities in 2009: Highways Engineer. Civil Engineer, Construction Project Manager


Water infrastructure
Between 2008 and 2010 it is estimated at least £7bn will be spent on Government water projects. On top of that, a number of water and sewage firms have called for an extra £500m between 2008 to 2010 to be spent on upgrade projects.

Key UK Water Services Construction Job Opportunities in 2009: Water Planner, Senior Planner, Quantity Surveyor.

Peru predicts strong construction recruitment activity for 2009

Construction jobs South America

When you look at recruitment activity in South America on constructionjobs.ie, Peru has always performed month on month. At the end of 2007, the country promised to be one of the world's construction recruitment hotspots in 2008, and it delivered on this prediction. So, we are delighted to see that the country is expecting another strong year of construction activity in 2009, particularly in infrastructure development.

According to the Peruvian National Institute of Statistics and Informatics, Construction, Peru's construction, transport, agriculture and fishing sectors will create the most jobs in 2009 amid the global financial crisis. Construction and transports activities will keep on rising, boosting the domestic demand.

Click here for latest construction jobs in South America

Most sought Australian construction and mining job candidates in 2009

Top construction jobs in Australia for 2009

The Australian Government has moved to fast track the visa applications of professionals who are most critical to the country’s economic development in 2009. And 17 construction and mining jobs categories feature in the all-important list.

Under the program, which will be operational from 01 January, 2009, the Government will fast track the processing of permanent migration visas where the skilled migrants are sponsored by an employer. However, people applying to come to Australia without a sponsor will be given priority if they have an occupation on the government's list of skills in critical shortage.

Australian Government Dept of Immigration & Citizenship Critical Skills List

This list of Australian construction and mining jobs that feature on the Critical Skills List will only apply to people who are seeking to migrate under the skilled migration program who are not sponsored by an employer or nominated by a state or territory government.

• Bricklayer
• Cabinetmaker
• Carpenter
• Carpenter and Joiner (various)
• Electrician (general)
• Electrician (special class)
• Electronic Equipment Trades
• Engineer – Civil
• Engineer – Electrical
• Engineer – Mechanical
• Engineer – Mining
• Fibrous Plasterer
• Gasfitter
• Metal Fabricator, Boilermaker
• Metal Fitter
• Metal Machinist
• Plumber (general)

Cleck here to find the latest construction jobs in Australia

Top Construction jobs in UAE in 2009

The United Arab Emirates may be the Disney World of the global construction industry, and Dubai may be seen as the instigator of the construction and engineering revolution in the Middle East, however other emirates of the UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, look set to continue performing well during 2009 in terms of construction jobs creation.

With vast reserves of oil to insulate them, to a certain degree, from the current global financial crisis, the massive growth in Middle East construction job applications on constructionjobs.ie during 2008 will continue in 2009 with the emirates of the UAE being the most popular region for construction job applications from ambitious construction professionals.

Building and engineering projects, started and planned for the next year include airports, rail lines, waterfront residential developments and kilometre-high towers to name a few. So, throughout the year we expect to see an endless stream of construction job opportunities for experienced, particularly high-rise experienced, construction professionals in the following areas

• Architect
• Construction Project Manager
• Construction Project Engineer
• Construction Site Manager
• Construction Site Engineer
• Construction Cost Manager
• Construction quantity surveyor
• Construction Manager

Click here for the latest Middle East Construction professional jobs

4.5GW in offshore wind farm projects now planned for UK

The UK has reached a total of 4.5GW in offshore wind farm projects with planning approval, as the world's second largest offshore wind farm receives approved for development off the coast of North Wales.

The Npower Renewables' Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm will comprise 250 turbines and have a generating capacity of 750MW. The planned world’s largest offshore wind farm is the 1GW London Array scheme, which will be built off the coast of Kent in the coming years.
Gwynt y Mor will be the largest of four offshore wind farms in North Wales, which combined will have the potential to power the equivalent of around 680,000 homes with green electricity.
North Wales already has two offshore farms, a 30 turbine farm at North Hoyle and 25 turbines at Burbo. A 25-turbine farm at Rhyl Flats is currently nearing completion.

Click here for the latest construction and engineering jobs in the UK

Constructionjobs.ie Top 10 November Construction Jobs

The Constructionjobs.ie November Top 10 Construction Jobs Table sees Construction Manager leap to the top spot from fifth place as a result of the number of applications made in the month.
While Construction Project Manager and Construction Civil Engineer hold the the same positions as the previous chart, applications bubbling under just outside the Top 10 include Construction Planners, Construction Engineers, Construction CAD, and Design Architects and Electrical Engineers.

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Constructionjobs.ie Top 10 Jobs for November

1. Construction Manager
2. Construction Project Manager
3. Construction Civil Engineer
4. Construction Quantity Surveyor/QS
5. Construction Health & Safety Manager
6. Construction Site Engineer
7. Construction Electrical Engineer
8. Construction Foreperson
9. Construction Contracts Manager
10. Construction Site Manager

Click here to find the top construction professional jobs.

Exporting the Tiger – Irish construction seeks global opportunities

At the centre of the Irish Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Annual Conference 2008, which took place at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Dublin, was opportunities that lie ahead for the Irish construction industry in the coming years. At a time when cashflow management is the focus for many Irish construction firms, the CIF has continued its drive to find opportunities abroad for Irish companies. And those that attended were in no doubt at the end of the conference as to where many of those opportunities will lie in the years ahead. constructionjobs.ie was also in attendance and highlights what the experts see as key opportunities on the global construction stage for Irish construction firms and construction professionals.

Eastern Europe set to build
Presenting on opportunities in Europe, Annette Hughes of DKM Economic Consultants said that a number countries in Central and Eastern Europe will be in a stronger position in terms of construction and construction recruitment activity than those in Western Europe in the next two years. She pointed particularly to infrastructural works in Slovakia, Romania, Macedonia Bulgaria, Poland and Czech Republic. Of the Eastern and Central European countries prospects for expenditure are particularly high in Poland. The hosting of the 2012 European Championships has driven Poland into a major infrastructural development programme, helped in no small way with European Structural Funds that all the new Member States scan avail of. Infrastructure expected to be the only sector growing across Euroconstruct Area, especially in Poland and Slovakia.
Elsewhere, Russia, Turkey and Romania seem well placed to cope with current crisis and housing and infrastructure developments are expected to continue.
A €57bn investment in infrastructure is expected in Russia over next two years. This will be spent on roads, energy, railways plus preparation for Winter Olympics in 2014.
There will also be greater focus on the energy efficiency of buildings, with extensive investment expected in Germany’s power stations. And with the predicted end of the current downturn expected in 2010, when markets start to grow again climate change challenges will expand the role for renewable energy projects across Europe.

Latest Construction Job opportunities in Mainland Europe

Looking East
Speaking about construction opportunities in China Ray Doyle of CHIRL sourcing solutions said that Irish companies looking to Asia will have to be prepared to put in the time to develop opportunities .
He highlighted a number of planned projects. The Shanghai to Beijing train line is set to start in 2010 and when completed in 2014 at a cost of €25bn will have a total length of 1318km. Work will also start on the €4bn Shanghai - Hangzou Maglev train line in 2010, with a resulting 169km of new train line within Shanghai when completed in 2014. China is also planning to develop 30Gw of wind farms by 2020.

Latest Construction Job Opportunities in Asia

Construction opportunities in the UK
A presentation by Kevin Kavanagh of Enterprise Ireland highlighted opportunities for Irish companies in the UK over the coming years.
Key areas that offer potential for Irish firms include
London Olympics – £10bn
Building Schools for the Future – £12bn over five years
Crossrail – £16bn
Regeneration of the West End – £5bn
Commonwealth Games 2014 in Scotland – A £288m Roads Programme

Latest Construction Job Opportunities in the United Kingdom

Other speakers looked at Construction Opportunities in Ireland (Transport 21 and power infrastructure rollout) and construction opportunities in the Middle East, which we will update in the coming weeks. But, ultimately, it was a case of those who have the set up and capacity to export their expertise should be looking very seriously at realigning their companies to deliver on a global scale.

Find the latest construction jobs and the world's latest construction job hotspots

Boomtime for Canada's civils sector

With the smell of recession in the air the Canadian government has moved to stave off a downturn by committing more funding to capital and municipal construction projects.
At a meeting in Ottawa at the beginning of November, the federal Canadian government and provinces said it would accelerate infrastructure spending to remedy the country's ailing economy. At the First Ministers' meeting, Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed to push for quicker action on the construction front as a means of stimulating job creation. And with an array of major construction schemes already through the planning stages, the prospects for construction jobs in Canada, particularly jobs in Canada’s civils industry look relatively bright.

A recent study released by the Canadian municipalities claims that $1bn dollars spent infrastructure, "would produce more jobs and a greater economic stimulus than a combined $2-billion tax reduction." The fact that country's bridges, roads, sewage and water pipes are in bad shape and need the investment also means the government’s commitment is very timely.

Hundreds of municipal infrastructure projects are already set to go in to construction phase and they can be financed by a fund of $3bn in the federal Building Canada Fund.

Key projects that will drive the infrastructure boom include plans to further develop transit networks in several Canadian cities. These are all ready to go to site, once funding is approved. Ottawa’s city council has also just approved $1.7 billion transit plans that include a 12-kilometre light rail line east-west across the city, with a tunnel under a section of downtown.

Unlike other countries that have cut back on their capital spending, the Canadian government’s decision to spend, spend and spend should be a welcome boost for those considering emigrating and seeking construction jobs in Canada.

Find the Latest and Top Construction Jobs in Canada

Canada’s Top 10 construction, oil and gas trade jobs

Although Canada’s economy has fared reasonably well during 2008 when compared to many other economies, the country expects to suffer somewhat during 2009. Because of its close ties with the US economy, it is practically unavoidable. On only one occasion it did not follow the US in to recession.

However, the outlook for Canada's construction, oil and gas jobs is relatively positive as the country has been suffering a shortage of skilled cionstruction, oil and gas tradesmen for a number of years now. With vast natural resources, many construction projects and an aging workforce, Canadian construction firms are looking to Europe to hire skilled foreign tradesmen.

Skilled tradespeople are in demand in many sectors in all 10 provinces and three territories of Canada. And, if you have the required amount of work experience in order to be certified and to work, maybe Canada has the right job and lifestyle for you.

In terms of wages, Canada has some of the highest paying construction jobs in the world. And when it comes to visas, Canada has significantly less stringent criteria and processes than is the case in the US. Its immigration laws allow foreign workers to bring their family to Canada, and apply for Permanent Residency status.

The Top 10 Construction trades that are regularly sought are outlined below. And while demand changes from month to month for the trade, the actual trades being sought rarely do

Canada’s Top 10 most in demand construction, oil and gas trades

1. Bricklayers
2. Carpenters
3. Tower crane operators
4. Electricians
5. Welders
6. Gasfitters
7. Gas utility operator
8. Iron and Sheet Metal Workers
9. Plumbers
10. Oil and gas rig technicians

Find the latest construction, oil and gas jobs in Canada