Local lowdown: Midlands

It is estimated that over the next 10 years, more than £80bn will be invested in construction developments across Birmingham and the surrounding area. With other cities throughout the Midlands enjoying a similar market, the construction boom in the region shows no signs of slowing down.

Over the past few years, increased PFI investment across the Midlands has led to a large number of urban regeneration schemes that are requiring more qualified candidates than the market can supply. The construction industry is in full swing, and as a result demand for qualified and experienced candidates has never been stronger.

Retail, commercial, residential and industrial redevelopments are well under way throughout the region, with some of the larger projects scheduled to employ up to 1500 people on site.

Regeneration projects in Birmingham are giving a much-needed facelift to many neglected and outdated developments.

"Already a major European city, the successful regeneration of Birmingham's city centre has entered a new chapter," says Natalie Marshall, senior consultant at Hays Construction & Property.

"Birmingham's regeneration is set to revitalise the concept of modern inner-city living, providing new commercial and housing opportunities, enhanced amenities and an improved local environment."

Beginning in February 2002, the Birmingham redevelopment is scheduled for completion in February 2012, costing more than £250m. In conjunction with the principal contractor Crest Nicholson, the city council is also working with Optima Community Association and Mercian Housing Association on the regeneration project.

The new Westfield Shopping Town in Derby is another redevelopment that is placing high demands on the construction industry. Valued at nearly £300m, the project is a mixed-use scheme that predominantly comprises retail and commercial builds. The work started on site in November 2004 and is contracted for completion in January 2008. Projects such as these are further stretching an already busy market in the Midlands. From architects to site managers, bricklayers to quantity surveyors, qualified workers are in demand across the entire region to meet the needs of this ever-increasing workload. Within the commercial sector there are significant shortages, particularly for project surveyors, senior quantity surveyors, and estimators with experience working for a main or regionally based contractor.

"There has also been a high demand for site managers and project managers who are capable of managing and completing projects on time and within specified budgets," says Darren Fry, manager at Hays Construction & Property.

"In fact, it is pretty safe to assume that most, if not all, positions within the construction industry are in short supply. As a result, more companies are having the foresight to look for lower level candidates in whom they can invest their time and money, training them to become the employees they require in the future."

Companies are now facing increased competition in their recruitment and retention practices, forcing them to offer salaries and packages that are in line with the rest of the UK. In the latest salary surveys by Hays Construction & Property (visit www.hays.com/salarysurveys), salaries for most sectors were up an average of 7% from the previous year.

Marshall says: "My advice to any young person who is unsure of their preferred career would be to pursue a technical role in construction - you will certainly be in demand."