State of growth: the rising opportunity for engineering and construction jobs in queensland

8 months ago By Nathan Eshman

If ever there was a time to consider taking an engineering or construction job in Queensland, it’s now.



The Sunny state is growing. 


Hosting the 2032 Olympic Games is obviously a contributor. But on top of that, we must consider:


  • The great resignation – thousands of people who have left their jobs looking for a different way of life
  • More people working from home – workplaces are increasing flexibility so you can keep your dream job and seek out the lifestyle you want
  • Tourism opening back up – post-COVID, more visitors will continue to flood into the country.


But with growth comes a significant gap for Queensland. 


All of this growth has caused a shortage of workers for infrastructure projects. 


And this pressure will only increase with the Olympic Games creating 91,600 full-time equivalent jobs in Queensland and 122,900 nationally.


In this blog, we’ll look at the current state of architecture, construction and engineering jobs in Queensland. 


We’ll also break down where the biggest opportunities will be over the next five to ten years.


First, a look at the construction sector.

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION JOBS IN QUEENSLAND

Construction is the third-largest employer in Australia and accounts for one in ten jobs. Nationwide, this stat is likely to grow by 3.4% in the next three years alone.


Zooming in on Queensland, since 2017, the number of workers in construction has dropped by 20,000. 


But construction will not slow down — thanks to the upcoming Olympics and the rise of tourism post-COVID.


In fact, in Queensland, the construction sector is determined to lift productivity by 20% — compared to before the pandemic.



With $13 billion worth of projects in the pipeline, a smaller workforce means employers will be desperately searching for qualified people in this sector.

POTENTIAL FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

Whether it’s a result of the great resignation or work-from-home flexibility, around 200,000 people could be moving to Queensland over the next five years.

That will directly impact residential construction jobs in Queensland.



Master Builders forecasts that between now and 2026, in Queensland, it will build 201,000 homes.

FEMALES IN CONSTRUCTION NEED APPLY

In both residential and private, industry bodies are keen to attract more female construction workers. They’re wanting to broaden the talent pool and help bridge the skills gaps. 



So now is a particularly opportunistic time for any females looking to enter the construction space.

ENGINEERING JOBS IN QUEENSLAND

Of all the sectors discussed so far, engineering is the most exciting. Thanks to engineering jobs hitting a 10-year high.


The biggest growth was in Queensland, which grew by 67%, followed by New South Wales and Victoria.


“This will only continue to grow”, says Engineers Australia’s Chief Engineer, Jane MacMaster.



Jaen also said, “If we don’t do something to address this significant skills challenge, I think the impacts will be felt really hard across many sectors.” 

THE STATE OF GROWTH

The great resignation, work-from-home, migration, tourism and, of course, the 2032 Olympics. 


These are all factors contributing to the growth we’ll see in Queensland over the next 10 years.



For those looking for a change in lifestyle or simply a change of scenery, Queensland is a strong option with long-term benefits. Especially for those looking for roles in construction, engineering or architecture.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING JOBS IN QUEENSLAND?

Are you skilled in construction, architecture or engineering and want to start exploring the opportunities developing in Queensland?


Design & Build’s job search feature is up to date with current and emerging openings in multiple sectors – from construction, engineering to energy, architecture and property.


The job search feature is simple to use, allowing you to filter jobs based on location, job roles and business sectors. 

By Joao Pedro Marins January 10, 2025
The Olympic Games have long been a symbol of excellence, determination, and unity, bringing together athletes from across the globe to achieve greatness. But the values that drive Olympians to succeed don’t just belong in the arena; they can also inspire us to strive for excellence in our professional lives. Let’s explore how these principles can be applied to build trust, foster collaboration, and achieve extraordinary outcomes in the workplace. Teamwork and Collaboration Just as Olympic teams rely on collective effort to achieve victory, success in the workplace depends on effective teamwork. When we collaborate, we combine diverse skills and perspectives to drive innovation, solve problems, and create a supportive work environment. Remember, as the saying goes, "Great things are never done by one person alone — they’re done by a team." Achievements and Goal-Setting Olympians set ambitious goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. In our careers, setting clear and attainable objectives helps us stay focused and motivated. Define your professional goals, set milestones, and celebrate each achievement along the way to maintain momentum. Diversity and Inclusion The Olympics celebrate diversity, bringing together athletes from different cultures and backgrounds. Similarly, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace enriches creativity, innovation, and decision-making. Strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. Skills and Training Olympians dedicate countless hours to training and refining their skills. In the workplace, continuous learning and professional development are equally important. Seek out opportunities to upskill, embrace challenges, and commit to growing your expertise to stay competitive and confident in your role. Performance Reviews and Feedback Athletes constantly review their performance to identify areas for improvement. Likewise, seeking regular feedback from colleagues and mentors can help you refine your skills and enhance your performance. Constructive feedback is a valuable tool for growth and development. Resilience and Preparation Olympic athletes often face setbacks but show incredible resilience by bouncing back stronger. In our professional lives, resilience is essential for overcoming challenges and turning failures into learning opportunities. Embrace adversity as a stepping stone to success and maintain a determined mindset. Inspiration and Mentorship Behind every successful Olympian is a mentor offering guidance and support. Finding mentors in your field can provide valuable insights, encouragement, and career advice. Equally, you can inspire others by sharing your knowledge and experiences, becoming a mentor for colleagues or peers. Celebrating Small Wins Every step towards an Olympic medal is a reason to celebrate. Recognising and celebrating small achievements in the workplace boosts morale, motivation, and team spirit. Acknowledge your progress and the progress of your colleagues to foster a positive and supportive culture. Striving for Gold Together By embracing the principles that drive Olympic athletes, we can elevate our professional journeys. Teamwork, goal-setting, diversity, resilience, and continuous improvement are cornerstones of success in any field. Let’s take inspiration from the Olympic spirit and strive for gold in our workplaces!
By Joao Pedro Marins January 28, 2024
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The automated responses and overuse of keywords may not capture the nuances of individual personalities, leading to a missed chance to make a memorable first impression. Chatbots often repeat terms or expressions, such as “seamlessly”, “unwavering”, “showcasing”, “as a result”, or “in conclusion”, for example. They tend to follow the same pattern when structuring a copy for a cover letter, with an introduction leading to a conclusion that not always is well connected. To stand out from the crowd, applicants should strive to infuse their language with vivid examples and specific accomplishments. Instead of using generic terms, provide concrete instances where you collaborated effectively within a team, solved a particular challenge, or delivered measurable results. The more specific you can get, the better. Common Cover Letters AI may inadvertently encourage a one-size-fits-all approach to job applications. Some candidates might use generic templates for their cover letters, neglecting to tailor their applications to the specific requirements of each job. This lack of personalisation can harm a candidate's chances of standing out in a competitive job market, as Hiring Managers may overlook applications that appear to be using a generic approach. Recommendations: To have a more personalised cover letter, you can work the other way around. Instead of going to chatbots to start them, try writing them in your own words, highlighting your expertise and why you would be a great fit for the position. Then, you can recur to AI tools, pasting your initial cover letter there and asking them to make it better, whether by using a more professional vocabulary or improving the copy structure for example. Remember that you don’t have to accept all their changes or their first version. You can keep tailoring it by asking things such as “make it shorter” or “emphasise my background”, for example, to arrive at the objective you want without losing the essence of your first message. Download our Cover Letter and Resume guides Online Assessments Some companies use online assessments during the application process, and candidates utilising AI tools may find themselves adapting their responses to match expected patterns rather than providing genuine answers. This can dilute the authenticity of their responses and create an impression of insincerity. Predefined responses and suppressing your natural conversational style can result in a lack of spontaneous exchanges that would occur in an authentic interaction. Striking the Right Balance Despite these challenges, job seekers can explore AI tools with a strategic approach. This technology can be beneficial in providing templates or tips, but it is essential to tailor the message to demonstrate your essence, unique skills and aspirations. Craft resumes and cover letters that authentically reflect your talents and experiences. Use keywords naturally, focusing on relevance rather than overloading your application with them. You can customise each application to match the specific job requirements. Highlight how your achievements align with the company's needs, values and the role you are applying for. Remember that, at the end of the day, behind the AI algorithms are human recruiters. Incorporate a personal touch in your application to connect with the human aspect of the hiring process and how you'd represent the company values. Conclusion As AI and chatbots become more used each day, job seekers must adapt and utilise them as a supportive tool instead of the main creative process in their applications. While these technologies offer efficiency, a well-balanced approach prioritising authenticity, personalisation, and staying informed will enable candidates to stand out in a competitive job market. Keep yourself updated with industry trends and AI advancements to adapt your job-seeking strategies accordingly. Understanding how AI is used in recruitment can help refine your approach and improve your chances of securing your desired job. If you want to use the recommendations above for your next job application, you can easily find all current positions available on our website by clicking here . If you need support from our specialised team, you can also upload your resume to hear from us in case we have any opportunity that matches your skills and experience.
By Joao Pedro Marins December 18, 2023
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By Default Author February 5, 2023
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By Default Author February 2, 2023
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Welcome Tim Natusch, our new Queensland State Manager
February 1, 2023
Late last year, we welcomed our new Queensland State Manager, Tim Natusch! Tim is a fantastic addition to our team and is responsible for growing our brand and relations with both clients & candidates across #QLD. To learn more about him and the expectations for our Queensland #team for 2023, check out his answers below! Welcome, Tim! What was it that attracted you to join Design & Build? Within the market, Design and Build have a quality brand and reputation. Personally, I also resonate with two of the sayings within the company; building trust and doing the right thing. As simple as they may seem, they conjure up old-school values for me. The way I conduct business is to deliver on all my promises. Can you tell us a little bit more about your new role as Queensland State Manager? I guess, in a nutshell, my job as QLD State Manager is to strengthen the D&B brand within the QLD market. This consists of learning about already established relationships and forging new relations. In doing so, we must ensure we are doing the right thing by our clients, candidates, colleagues and community. Further to this, a huge and immediate goal is to grow the internal headcount of the Qld D&B team. This is a necessity to stay ahead of the needs of our clients, candidates, and community, plus the huge levels of investment within Qld across multiple industries. We are currently working within a candidate-driven job market. From a manager's perspective, what opportunities and challenges does this present to recruitment companies moving forward? This is a challenge but also a blessing, and it brings us back to old-school, relationship-driven and trust-building recruitment. Our teams need to network within their specific industries and really build strong relationships with their candidates. We must avoid treating candidates like numbers. They are humans with goals and aspirations outside of work, families or loved ones to think of. As recruiters, we must think of all of these things and aim to find our candidates' roles that can effectively change a candidate's life. From my first week within the D&B business, I truly feel that this is something the entire business does exceptionally well. What does building trust mean to you? For me, the concept of building trust is simple – you do what you say you are going to do. If this is not possible, you let the person that you are dealing with that we have to think about other options. How do you think a recruitment organisation can effectively demonstrate trust – especially with their clients, candidates, colleagues, and community? Treat others how you would like to be treated. In an extremely volatile and dynamic market, our clients, candidates, colleagues, and community will remember this. If we stick to the basic D&B principles of doing the right thing, I don't think we can go wrong. Do you have any key goals for the D&B Queensland team over this year? Internally, building the team of consultants Clients; meeting every one of our valued clients Growth; begin working with several new clients and exploring future growth markets What's one food item you can't live without? I should be able to live without it. However, it is my guilty pleasure; Chocolate. When you're not at work, where can we expect to find you? At a sporting event (beer in hand), fishing, or for a coffee and park with my three beautiful girls and wife.  You can contact Tim at: Email – tnatusch@designandbuild.com.au Mobile number – 0424 150 235
By Default Author December 22, 2022
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By Joao Pedro Marins November 20, 2022
​The sun sets in the west! After two rough years due to the pandemic, Western Australia is now experiencing solid growth and an exciting perspective for the following years. With many opportunities opened at the moment and many more becoming available each day, the state is focusing on migration incentives and welcoming new workers to fill the skills shortage. Now is a great time to consider moving to WA for those looking for new opportunities, as the state has one of the highest weekly earnings averages across the country, led by industries like Mining, Construction and Professional Services within the top five largest employing in the state.
By Nathan Eshman November 17, 2022
​Finding a job can be rough. So you need to make the most of every advantage. So it makes sense to explore the question: what are the most important qualities of a good candidate? The reasons are compelling. First, when you know what someone wants, you can give it to them. You’re not going in blind. You can focus on what is more prone to land you the job.
By Emily Harris October 20, 2022
​Studies into workplace culture have indicated the importance that recruitment plays in maintaining a positive workplace environment. One study revealed that employees whose values aligned well with their organisation, co-workers and supervisor, experienced increased job satisfaction, were more likely to remain with their organisation and showed superior job performance (Johnson, E., Kristof-Brown, A. & Zimmerman. 2005)[1]. Even Virgin Group’s founder, Sir Richard Branson has emphasised the important role culture fit should play in hiring – claiming that securing the right team is the most important thing you can do for your business.
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