Every cost consultancy QS News meets says their number one problem is a lack of skilled staff. So, we are taking action with not one, but two initiatives aimed at nailing this problem and we need your support.
In case anyone needs reminding how dire our profession’s skills shortage is, here are some numbers: EC Harris tells us it must recruit a staggering 1,000 staff globally in the next 12 months, and that’s just to tread water rather than take on extra work. EC Harris has 2,800 staff, but smaller practices are in the same boat. The 65-person practice John Rowan & Partners needs to recruit 20 staff in 2007. And the UK’s construction boom shows no sign of abating. We have a new generation of nuclear power stations to construct and the Thames Gateway to develop (see page 5), not to mention an Olympic Park to build. Where are we going to get the staff?
We reckon two initiatives to tackle the QS skills crisis could make a real difference. The first is the RICS move to win preferential immigration status for foreign QSs. In the past few weeks, we’ve found many cases of talented QSs from countries like Malaysia and Sri Lanka being forced to leave companies where they are badly needed – all because of short-sighted immigration rules. The RICS wants QSs to be put on the government’s list of shortage professions and it is asking for your backup.
The second initiative is our competition which will raise awareness of our profession among students, Protégé 2007. Together with Bucknall Austin and the RICS, we are scouring the nation for the best potential construction consultants. We’ll narrow down hopefuls with tough tests and select a winner who will get a job with Bucknall plus £3,000. More details at protege2007.co.uk.
Email your support for the work permit campaign to qsandconstruction.faculty@rics.org
Roxane McMeeken
Source
QS News
