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Market Comment

Engineering and Technical Jobs NZ:

The construction, property and wider engineering industry has been heavily affected following some key events over the past 2-3 years including the Christchurch earthquakes, the lack of financial funding available for key developments and general worldwide economic downturn. Recently however there has been a government led focus on public private partnership development projects, infrastructure projects including Roads of National Significance and large government funded construction projects such as the Government House refurbishment in Wellington and the Mt Eden Prison redevelopment project in Auckland. 

The Residential building market has been slower than usual in recent years with a decline in building consents. However the housing market is expected to rise again, with the Department of Building and Housing predicting a 25% increase in housing consents during 2011. This impending increase will in turn put pressure on labour for commercial projects and once again create a candidate short market within the key construction and engineering sectors.

The prognosis for the industry however is positive, and we are likely to see consistent growth as we move through the next 12 months, including an influx of overseas candidates being utilised for key projects, specifically in the Christchurch area to assist with the rebuild.

With a focus on heavy engineering projects including LPG plants, power plants and large structural work including dams, roads, bridges and tunnels – engineering design consultants are busy and there is a real demand for good structural, mechanical, process, electrical and civil Chartered Engineers.