ICE recognises the fact that the UK and European economies are experiencing difficult financial times at the moment with limited opportunity for employment of civil engineering graduates.
As part of the strategy to offer assistance in this regard, the ICE has looked at the global situation where the economic impact does not appear to have been so significant.
Current Opportunities
From discussions in Australia, New Zealand and *China and reports received from discussions with regional representatives and Civil Engineers working in the these countries as well as the wider Asia Pacific Region, there is evidence of demand for civil engineers.
Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing - there is currently a significant demand for engineering skills. Employers in both these countries (and possibly others in South East Asia) would be very willing to take UK graduates on comparable local terms (i.e. without expatriate accommodation packages).
Australia and New Zealand – whilst the trade press is full of opportunities for civil engineers with significant experience there may be opportunities on the ground for less experienced staff who are able to travel to Australia and or New Zealand. The opportunities will not necessarily be advertised and may require you to make your own arrangements as part of a year out travel visa in these countries. It is worth exploring these opportunities as part of the planning process.
If you are considering working overseas and in particular in Australia or New Zealand you may find the following two website's of interest:
*You should be advised that some of the above countries may require you to have had at least 2 years working experience in engineering before you can take advantage of opportunities available.
For further information on international opportunities please contact the relevant ICE Country Representative listed below.
Research the Global Market
In researching the global situation, graduates should be aware that the situation is variable with many countries initially wanting to import experienced engineers who have the full skill set and are able to deploy to the workplace immediately. However, as with any situation, demand creates an opportunity and there may be an opening for less experienced graduate in these economic areas as well.
The key to finding a position is to undertake a thorough research of the market. Look at the global economic situation and evaluate those regions where construction related activity remains buoyant. At present it would appear that the following parts of the world seem to have weathered the economic downturn better than most:
Research is the key and the internet provides the most effective way of targeting the sectors where economic activity remains strong. It is relatively easy to review recruitment websites to see which regions/countries have opportunities although this initial research will not always identify the company with specific positions. With details knowledge of the active regions/countries where construction is being undertaken, it is possible to define those companies who operate in these areas.
For further information on working abroad you should read the Prospects.ac.uk article on applying for non-UK jobs
Web Research
Remember that some companies may have local subsidiary companies trading under unfamiliar names and a little extra work may be required to populate the local list. It is worth trying to search for specific groups of companies in specific locations in this regard – for example Search for engineering consultancies in New Zealand or Water Engineering Contractors in Western Australia. Take note of any non global companies that you discover during such searches and follow these up with further information.
A few hours of systematic web research should reveal a pattern/list of companies you feel may be of interest given your own particular circumstances and interest. It is worth ensuring that you search the local web pages of the individual companies as the UK version may not host the job opportunities within the local region you are interested in.
Clearly a move abroad will require some planning and you may need to consider visa arrangements. Details of these can be found on the relevant government web sites which should be checked regularly as country specific guidance changes frequently. It may be worth looking into student or gap year visas in some countries which may be available for those under a certain age.
Volunteering and help the developing world
Finally, you may wish to consider voluntary work – such as that with the VSO. This experience can provide a unique opportunity to gain practical experience which can be used to meet elements of the IPD requirement whilst offering assistance at a local level. The placements are usually offered on a subsistence level with a small wage plus flight, accommodation and medical care provided. The individual requirements should be checked through each agency as the requirements may change with time. Again searching the internet should return details of those organisations that provide suitable opportunities.
Here are a few organisations you could contact regarding volunteer opportunitieis overseas:
RedR - RedR is an international charity that provides training and recruitment services for the humanitarian sector, improving emergency response worldwide. For the past 30 years, we have been helping rebuild the lives of those affected by disaster.
Engineers Without Borders (EWB) - EWB are an international development organisation that removes barriers to development through engineering.
VSO - VSO are an dependent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries.