Get Sust! Issue 44

FEATURE

Don’t panic – green shoots have been spotted

The past 12 months must have been particularly unnerving for built environment students approaching their finals, finishing off projects, or handing in their theses. With the economy in chaos and construction firms shedding jobs and halting projects across the country, it would have been easy to descend into gloom. But as graduation day approaches and this year’s crop of raw talent ventures forth into the chaos, there is a glint of light on the horizon – and it has a lovely green hue.

A poll of economists published this week by the Financial Times, concluded that the UK economy stopped shrinking in June, and the end of the downturn is approaching. Not wanting to place our faith in the number-crunchers who got us into this mess in the first place, Get Sust asked the professional institutions for their analysis of the construction sector, and is pleased to report that the long awaited boom in green construction jobs is beginning to sprout promising shoots.

CIBSE is particularly upbeat, with the CIBSE Journal annual jobs survey showing that more than half of building services engineering employers are experiencing problems recruiting, due to skills shortages. For instance, M&E quantity surveyors have seen a 3.9% average rise in salary in the last year. The survey, in conjunction with recruitment consultant Hays (see Advice, below), found that there is an on-going demand for senior professionals in the private sector, and that there is a steady growth in opportunities, particularly within the NHS and education sectors.

The main story, though, is that more than 40% of employers think sustainability will have the biggest impact on the industry over the next 5 years.

Architects and architectural technologists have fared slightly less well, according to the CIAT (Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists), which reports that some members working for housebuilders have been hit by redundancies, reduced hours, or pay cuts or freezes. However, CIAT members in private practice are faring well and remain busy.

As both CIBSE and CIAT are keen to point out, qualifications really do count when times are tough.

“CIBSE courses, including those from Mid Career College, have proved remarkably resilient through the recession, despite the fact that a number of large consultancies have cut their training budgets substantially,” reports Jacqueline Balian, managing director of CIBSE Services. “This indicates that organisations are taking the opportunity to train up staff in the expectation of an upturn, and that individuals are increasing their own marketability by up-skilling.

“Interest in on-line learning has also been well above predictions, as many people are still phenomenally busy and can’t afford to take time out of the office to carry out CPD or to engage with new technologies. With CIBSE’s development of on-line learning modules for home study, those who don’t find it easy to travel for training or who can’t afford to leave the office can still stay at the top of their game.”

CIAT reports a rise in the number of part-qualified members seeking to upgrade their skills to qualify as Chartered members, particular because the Institute now offers three specialist registers – Chartered Environmentalists, Accredited Conservationists and Energy Assessors.

Likewise at CIBSE, where its Low Carbon Energy Assessors and Low Carbon Consultants are in the vanguard of the new rise in ‘green collar’ jobs. And there is certainly room for plenty more – providing they have the right training:

“There is some concern among clients that there is a wide range of ability available in the wider energy assessor pool,” says Jacqueline Balian. “Concerns about the quality of work done by some assessors may have an impact on the growth of green jobs overall. Some areas of green collar work have not yet reached the expected level of growth, for example Air Conditioning Inspectors. It would appear that many of the operators of the 50,000 large systems that should already have had inspections are failing to meet their legal obligations, but it is anticipated that such negligence will be addressed by an enforcement campaign in the not-too-distant future.”

The emphasis on training, networking and on-going support for members continues over at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), where as recent ‘Market Yourself’ workshop went down very well. CIOB draws its members from across the range of construction professions, and is working hard to keep its members up to speed with market trends and especially sustainability – from traditional conservation to cutting-edge Building Information Modelling (both reported elsewhere in Get Sust).

“The CIOB offers a variety of services to members during the economic downturn”, says Sharon Stephens, Head of Business Development. “Our website has a comprehensive careers section, including CV Tips, and interview guidance … and we will provide advice based on an individual’s academic/professional qualifications and experience, and advise them on courses that suit their needs.”

As well as professional networking opportunities, the CIOB may be able to offer special discounts to members who may be experiencing financial hardship (and membership is free to fulltime students).

So, as the summer finally approaches and the green shoots grow, be glad that you chose a career in sustainable construction and not … erm … economics!

 

	•	‘Economists see pause in recession’, by Chris Giles and Daniel Pimlott, Financial Times, June 7 2009 ; and ‘Economic group calls end of recession’, by Daniel Pimlott, Financial Times, June 10 2009
	•	Details of CIBSE’s Training and Development programme are at www.cibse.org. Check out the CIBSE Young Engineers network, too, for opportunities to network with potential employers, attend special events, and meet your colleagues. See www.cibseyoungmembers.co.uk.
	•	Visit www.ciat.org.uk for full details of the CIAT’s specialist registers, careers profiles of members, and other assistance.
	•	To join CIOB, email memenquiry[at]ciob.org.uk ; or find out more about CIOB-accredited courses via educationadmin[at]ciob.org.uk.