Construction/NCEngineering


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www.careersinconstruction.com


Gateway to Brisbane Construction/Engineering www.careersinconstruction.com


Recent natural disasters have, if anything, increased opportunities for British engineers to work in Australia. NCE’s Marissa Lynch reports.


Australia’s engineering skills shortage


structure programmes continue despite recent environmental disasters Following the extensive flooding in


A


Queensland and Victoria and a large cyclone in northern Queensland, engineers are in more demand than ever. In the past, foreign engineers have filled skills gaps, and this looks set to continue. The Australian National Engineer


Taskforce’s report Scoping Our Future: Addressing Australia’s Engineering Skills Shortage released late last year, shows that skilled migrant engineers account for more than half of the country’s newly qualified engineers. Last year, shortages of civil engineers were apparent in every state and territory, although employers in Victoria filled their vacancies relatively easily. Official figures show that employers


in Queensland experienced the greatest difficulty recruiting in 2010. Queensland has also faced a renewed demand for civil engineering professionals in 2011 as a result of the floods and the subsequent need to rebuild infrastructure. Furthermore, Brisbane, the capital


city of Queensland, is in the middle of an international campaign to attract UK Engineers to help rebuild the flood- ravaged city. Although the flooding has had an economic impact on the whole of the country, it seems unlikely that more


ustralia seems poised to make the most of its strong economic position to ensure nationally significant infra-


energy schemes on the go also. The £27bn Gorgon LNG project sets Australia on its way to becoming one of the world’s biggest suppliers of LNG. It is a massive plant being built on Barrow Island, off the northwest coast of Western Australia by a joint venture of Chevron, Shell and Exxon Mobil. Similarly massive is the Browse LNG


development, planned for 60km north of Broome, also in Western Australia. Detailed designs of this scheme began this year. In addition, the Australians are trying


to make it easier for foreign engineers to emigrate. As part of a package of measures to assist in flood reconstruction,


the Australian


government has announced priority processing for decision-ready temporary business visa applications (known as the 457 visa). More information on relocating to


Flooding hit Australia causing damage to structures and the economy


than a few projects will be cancelled or reprioritised. Projects definitely on the go include Brisbane’s A$8bn (£5bn) Cross River Rail, one of a number of major infrastructure schemes in Australia. It has some truly mind boggling


Australia can be found through Engineers Australia, which is the Australian authority responsible for assessing overseas engineering qualifications against the Australian standard required for professional engineers. A positive skills assessment issued by Engineers Australia does not guarantee a visa or employment in Australia. More information on the skill


assessment process and contact details, visit the Engineers Australia website at www.engineersaustralia.org.au


International Careers Guide 2011 7


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