Considering a career in civil engineering? If you live in Australia, you’re in luck. According to an expert civil engineering recruitment agency, the demand for civil engineers in Australia is not only growing, it’s already at its highest point in over a decade. In fact, more than 80% of graduates with a civil engineering degree receive a full-time job offer within four months of graduation. Why is the civil engineering market so strong Down Under? Here are some reasons behind the surge.
Infrastructure Investment
The main driver behind the increase in civil engineering jobs in Australia is the country’s recent major investments in infrastructure. In 2022, the government has committed to investing $120 billion over a 10-year period in land transport infrastructure. This Infrastructure and Investment Program has earmarked funds to upgrade key freight routes, reduce traffic congestion in cities, develop faster rail, and improve road safety, among other projects.
Since 2013, Australia has witnessed record investment in infrastructure, with the government investing in over 1,300 major land transport infrastructure projects. Currently, more than 500 of those projects have been completed, another 300 are in progress, and 500 are planned. With the country’s population expected to reach 40 million by 2059, continued investment in infrastructure projects is critical and so is the need for civil engineers to execute the plans.
Skills Shortage
A second reason why the demand for civil engineers in Australia is at a 10-year peak is because there is currently a shortage of skilled engineers in the country. Only 8.2% of Australian graduates have a degree in engineering, a relatively low number compared to countries like Germany at 24.2% and Japan at 18.5%. While migrant engineers are one part of the solution, the long-term remedy to this problem is to encourage more students to pursue engineering degrees and careers.
The Australian Government National Skills Commission states that a renewed focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills in early education is working, with a growth of 85% in STEM employment opportunities since 2000. But the need for engineers, specifically civil engineers is continual and with the growth in infrastructure projects over the next 10 years, the demand is not expected to slow.
Reluctance to Hire Migrant Engineers
Australian employers continue to be somewhat reluctant to hire migrant engineers for their civil engineering projects. Whether this is because of unconscious bias or because migrant engineers are perceived to have lesser skills than Australian engineers is unclear. What is clear, though, is that tapping into the cohort of migrant engineers already in the country will go a long way toward resolving the civil engineer shortage.
Recruitment agencies can help migrant civil engineers land good-paying positions that qualified migrant engineers might not be able to get on their own because these agencies have long-standing relationships with employers and know how to match employees with their needs. Civil engineers in Australia who are having trouble getting their foot in the door may benefit strongly from using a recruitment agency.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a native Australian civil engineer or a migrant civil engineer, there are plenty of jobs available to you. Consult a recruiting agency today to find the right position with the right employer today.
