Hays Oil & Gas
January - March 2012
Hotspots
In Queensland Construction Management, Planning and Contract Administration candidates are in high demand as CSG-LNG projects move into execution. Contracts have been awarded to contractors and sub-contractors and this has resulted in increased demand for construction management skills and projects controls skills to effectively manage the project risk and ensure it hits key project milestones.
Western Australia is experiencing huge demand for Subsea Engineers. These candidates are in demand worldwide, and the North-West Shelf in Western Australia is one of the global hotspots for subsea work. Thus Subsea Engineers are needed, as are Process Engineers and Project Controls candidates, especially Estimators and Planners.
Across Victoria we are seeing a diverse range of roles becoming vacant. The greatest demand exists for Design and Project Management candidates within consultancies. With many head offices based in Victoria, these candidates are needed for interstate and international projects that are expected to be awarded to consultancies.
Overcoming skills shortages
Employers have referral bonuses in place and are increasing salaries and retention bonuses to secure candidates. They are also looking globally for candidates, as the local Australasian market is suffering from major shortages. We have managed several successful international campaigns recently, including setting up a microsite and marketing to the UK, European, Canadian and Asian candidate base.
The coming quarter
While in Queensland the focus will be on increasing temporary recruitment this quarter, in booming Western Australia employers will seek to recruit on both a contract and permanent basis. There is a sense of urgency in Victoria, where employers expect numerous contracts to be awarded and want teams in place so they can start work as soon as projects are awarded.
Executive trends
General and Country Managers are in demand as global businesses open offices in Perth.
Employer trends
Employers are committed to securing candidates with the right level of experience and project sector skills. They have high expectations regarding the level of technical skills required in candidates. There is limited flexibility in terms of the experience levels they will consider for roles.
Typically employers will secure candidates on a permanent basis for ongoing roles and will utilise temporary assignments for short to medium term work.
Recruitment timeframes remain long. Salaries, benefits and conditions are however starting to slowly increase as employers act to attract and retain staff.
Candidate trends
Domestic candidate levels are expected to rise slightly this quarter as people seek a new role for the year ahead. This increase will come from both contract and permanent employees, with many seeking either a stable permanent position or long-term contract role.
There remains strong international interest from candidates in both the career opportunities available in our booming oil & gas industry and the lifestyle opportunities gained by living in Australia. Queensland is a particular focus for these international candidates, as is Western Australia, with most interest coming from the Middle East & Continental Europe. In contrast, candidate interest from the UK has slowed.
