Architecture and engineering practices are moving away from traditional office-based working arrangements and catching up with modern flexible working trends in response to the demand for highly skilled architects and engineers.
According to the latest Hays Quarterly Report of skills in demand, architectural and engineering professionals are sought across most regions as practices rebuild their teams. But with demand outstripping supply for certain skilled professionals, candidate shortages have emerged. In response, employers are offering flexible working hours and when possible design professionals are working more from home.
“Flexible working options were once very rare in these industries,” says Adam Shapley, Senior Regional Director of Hays Architecture and Hays Engineering. “Even when flexible working was being offered in many other industries, architecture and engineering practices often resisted the trend. Even though architects and engineers spend time travelling to and from sites and often work outside the standard business day, it was rare for a formal flexible working policy to be put in place.
“But when skills are in short supply, employers update their attraction and retention strategies. Work-life balance is important to all employees, not just working parents, and employers recognise that rigid employment structures turn off candidates.
“So to attract and retain talent in limited supply, architecture and engineering practices are now adopting a flexible approach for roles that can be completed on a laptop or desktop. This is a positive trend for both the architecture and engineering sectors,” he said.
According to Hays, another positive change resulting from the skills shortage is the increasing number of internships. “Architecture and engineering firms are offering internships in order to identify entry-level talent before they graduate,” Adam said. “They range from a few weeks to a few months, and if an intern performs well they often receive a permanent job offer.”
Where are the jobs?
According to the latest Hays Quarterly Report of skills in demand, there’s positive news for jobseekers in Australia’s architecture market, with most states and territories reporting increasing demand for their skills.
Mid-level Architects are in high demand to work on residential and commercial redevelopments and new commercial construction projects. Revit Architects and Revit Technicians who can utilise 3D design and rendering are needed due to the emphasis on the design scope of the projects. Revit Documentors at the senior and mid levels and Revit Interior Designers are all sought to work on residential and multi-unit residential projects.
Project Architects are in demand following high levels of mixed use development applications, while Design Managers within retail, commerce and hospitality, and commercial and hospitality Interior Designers are needed.
Associate level candidates are also sought. There is a stronger focus on leadership, generating business and developing strong business relationships. Employers look for candidates with a strong understanding of the local market.
Statutory Planners, Transport Planners, Urban Designers and Landscape Architects are also needed.
Within engineering, Civil and Structural Engineers are sought in many states and territories. In addition to these skills, New South Wales needs Design and Project Engineers for infrastructure projects. In Queensland Hydraulic Engineers with QBCC qualifications are sought, as are Electrical & Mechanical Engineers with building services experience. Canberra also needs Hydraulic Engineers and Hydraulic Drafters. Western Australia needs building services Design Engineers with strong post graduate experience, while in South Australia high quality Revit Operators across electrical, mechanical and hydraulics are sought. Victoria is seeing a shortage of Transport Engineers, Inroads Designers as well as registered building practitioners.
To see the full list of skills in demand and trends for your industry, please visit
hays.com.au/report
Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.
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For further information please contact Lucy Sharp, Regional Head of Marketing at Hays, on +61 2 8226 9885 or
[email protected]