By Michael Page

Transformational projects in Western Sydney will see continued activities this year, as a new industry report identifies three key hiring themes in construction.

The Michael Page “Salary Benchmark Report 2019”, revealed a shortage of specialised local talent in client side project management, making it very competitive to obtain good candidates.

In addition, the report found project managers with 5 to 10 years post-grad experience were the highest in demand.

Companies are also seeking professionals with business development abilities in addition to technical skillsets, the report said.

“For PageGroup, there is a new focus on the blue collar sector: with the country at close to full employment in the labour market, the labourer hiring and blue collar end of the market is certainly expected to outstrip supply in 2019,” Michael Page Australia Regional Managing Director Matthew Gribble revealed.

“From a geographic perspective, terrific growth in Western Sydney has been observed and that will continue.”

Two major Western Sydney developments – Sydney’s second airport and the much anticipated cage-free zoo – have also made a point of engaging younger generations.

Western Sydney Airport will bring strong economic transformation to the region, with completion marked for December 2026.

Western Sydney Airport chief executive Graham Millett announced two major opportunities: giving university students studying or living in Western Sydney the chance to team with leading airport design firms competing for the change to design the airport’s terminal.

“We want to have the creative minds of our best and brightest young people help inform the design of the terminal, which will be a legacy for their generation, Millett said.

“The path to Western Sydney Airport’s opening will be full of learning and employment opportunities for the region’s young people.”

In addition, a partnership between Western Sydney Airport and Liverpool Council will see Year 5 and 6 students in the region be invited to design the airport using the popular digital building game, Minecraft.

Meanwhile, Sydney Zoo ran an animal-themed colouring competition for kids where the winning designs will be used as wraps for its Suzuki Ignis vehicles.

While it previously suffered building delays, those driving along the Great Western Highway passing Western Sydney Parklands can clearly see the construction activities and infrastructure at near completion.

There’s been huge build-up of anticipation for the $45 million zoo, as its world-class design will see animals roaming cage-free, similar to a safari experience, across 16.5-hectares.

The zoo is scheduled to open mid-2019.

To find out more about construction roles or what’s happening in construction from a hiring front, contact us.

For a copy of our Salary Benchmark Report 2019, download it here.

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