Why not work in... Birmingham?
Tim Cook, Managing Director of Hays Construction & Property, reports on the latest employment trends in Birmingham.
Overview
Birmingham is working hard to dispel its old image and as a result there is substantial work to modernise the city centre, provide up-to-date accommodation and offer the latest recreation and lifestyle facilities.
Employers now possess the added confidence to recruit a greater number of permanent employees in order to fulfil their contractual obligations. Not only is there considerable investment in both the public and private sectors, but there is also extensive regeneration work taking place.
Birmingham and the West Midlands region also offer employees the opportunity to make the most of a work-life balance. No longer is it purely an industrial city, but rather it is a dynamic, modern city with a vast number of leisure facilities. It also benefits from a number of nearby attractions, such as Alton Towers and Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon.
What’s going on?
Substantial development work is currently underway in the city. The Qube residential and commercial development is costing £45million and commenced work in January 2005. There is also substantial PFI work underway, with the £350 million Walsgrave hospital in Coventry and the £400 million Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
There are currently a number of vacancies for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital development, including permanent positions for site managers, project managers and a design manager plus temporary vacancies exist for engineers and site managers.
There is also extensive residential work ongoing in Birmingham, including work on phase 2 of the £20 million Orion Building apartments with interiors designed by John Rocha, which is due to finish in 2007. Sandwell Homes is a £365 million development due to finish in 2010.
Over 30 candidates have been supplied to this project: tradesmen, site managers and an assistant site manager. Birmingham’s famous landmark, the Rotunda, is currently being converted into luxury flats and has necessitated a supply of junior engineers and freelance labourers.
Top three skills in the area
Project managers with PFI experience: With hospital and education PFI projects in the area already underway, and the commitment to improve schools further with the Building Schools for Future programme, this area of work is only likely to grow. As it does, demand for experienced project managers will continue to increase.
Social housing experience: the pressure is on to achieve the Decent Homes Standard by 2010. Site managers with social housing experience are therefore highly sought after, plus quantity surveyors who are prepared to work in this sector are in demand.
Architectural technicians with strong technical skills: Employers are specifying candidates with advanced knowledge of building regulations. There is a tendency locally to choose more design-based architectural degree courses, whereas there are fewer candidates with an ONC or HNC qualification in building studies – as a result, these are highly sought after.
For example, we have recently filled a position for a proposals manager to work on PFI projects. This demanding position required a candidate to work on bids up to £100 million and offered a salary of £40,000 plus benefits including a company car and a performance related bonus scheme.
What's the catch?
Experience is definitely on the agenda for many employees, so candidates looking for their first role in site management may struggle. However, these candidates should remember that personality and company fit are also extremely important.
For example, we recently filled a position for a prestigious house builder, who required a trainee site manager with two to four years experience.
The chosen candidate received a salary of £23,000 and, although no benefits were provided initially, the candidate was advised that after six months they would gain full benefits and a salary increase. The candidate was primarily chosen for his fit with the company and his ambition to become a fully qualified site manager.
How much would I get paid?
Salaries across the region are increasing, largely due to the skills shortage. According to Adele Greensall, Senior Manager of Hays Construction & Property, “These salary increases are also being supported by a number of provincial offices opening in Birmingham.”
There is a lot of confidence in the current market, which is contributing to further salary increases. For example, a planning supervisor with 10 years' experience in the West Midlands can expect to earn an annual salary which is over two thousand pounds above the national average.
How far would my salary go?
- Pint of Hansan’s Mild: £1.70
- Balti and naan: just over £6
- Ticket to Aston Villa football game: £27
Contact
For further information on employment opportunities in Birmingham, contact Adrian Basu, Director of Hays Construction & Property, on 0121 643 8866.
