Hays Architecture
January - March 2012
Hotspots
Skilled REVIT users with several years of experience completing detailed documentation on large projects are in high demand. A lot of practices have transitioned into REVIT, and employers want candidates who are skilled REVIT users rather than training those with minimal exposure to the software. Experienced Drafters (AutoCAD and REVIT) are also sought.
We will also see demand this quarter for candidates with considerable project experience in commercial and healthcare as projects commence in these areas. In Melbourne, healthcare will be the busiest of all sectors, with large projects such as the VCCC being awarded.
Finally, forward planning for land releases in the outer suburbs of Sydney will create demand for transport and strategic planning candidates.
Overcoming skills shortages
Given the shortage of planning candidates, employers are turning to contractors and many are hoping to secure these skills longer-term via temporary-to-permanent recruitment.
In other areas of the architecture market, recent redundancies have increased the candidate pool, and this is keeping the skills shortage contained at the moment.
The coming quarter
Many practices do not have a firm outlook for the next six months and are waiting to hear back about project wins. Consequently most employers prefer to recruit on a contract rather than permanent basis until they have a guaranteed workload.
The majority of Melbourne practices predict a tough 2012. There are projects available but the market is highly competitive, which is pushing fees down. In addition, it is becoming more difficult for developers to get the financial backing required to go ahead with projects, primarily multi-residential, which is resulting in projects being put on hold in the short-term.
Employer trends
Employers are recruiting more candidates on a contract basis for specific projects. These contracts are shorter in duration than they once were, and employers are very selective about who they employ in these contracts. Employers are also generally interviewing more candidates for specific vacancies. But with a candidate strong market, employers are challenging salaries more and the recruitment process is generally longer and is completed with less urgency.
Candidate trends
We expect to see an increase in candidate levels this quarter as more people arrive from oversees - with a high volume of enquiries from the UK, Ireland, continental Europe as well as South East Asia and South America.
Those candidates in permanent roles are less likely to want to move given the uncertain market conditions and the redundancies that are still being made. Many candidates have been asked to work reduced hours, such as nine day fortnights, and there are still a number of Architects on reduced salaries (typically between 10 and 20 per cent pay cuts).
