Any Quantity Surveyors/Estimators out there?

[EmmaLou78]

Hi Everyone,
My OH is an Associate Quantity Surveyor, and he was told there are a lot of good opportunities in Perth for his line of work. I'd love to hear from anyone out there or on their way in the same line or work. He currently specialises in construction with their main client being a large supermarket chain.
We are a family of 4 with 2 small children aged 4 & 7 and visited Perth last June on a reccie.
Em x

[Vindee2011]

Hi Em,
My DH too was told the same thing. He has been searching the job sites for Construction Project Management, (also qualified in QS) and a recruiter over in Perth told him to review his Resume and searches as there seems to be alot of QS/Planner/Estimaters sought after, saying they cant seem to get their hands on any... We have a friend out there helping us with networking and advise. She says to get out there and line up interviews with as many recruitment agencies and potential employers asap, as its looking difficult from our computer screen. We need a 457 Sponsorship Visa to get over there. Its easy saying that from over there, there is the fear of DH giving some sort of notice to his present employer, financially the cost to get over there and supporting himself while there... Also I was made redundant the end of December last. And DH fears he may have to return home without a job offer and potentially have no employment here when he would get back... What to do? Our friends says he wont come back without an offer, we're being very fearful naturally, have alot at stake....
We are also a family of 4, two small boys 3 & 6. We haven't done the reccie... How did ye find your stay there, everything you wanted?
Dee x

[EmmaLou78]

Hi Dee,
Well, we went out to Perth last June. Before we left DH emailed a few QS firms to say he was coming out and would be grateful of any informal meetings they could offer him. Two companies came back to him within 24 Hrs and he met with both of them whilst we were out there. Both men were British funnily enough, so they were able to give him a really good insight on the whole experience. He left both meetings full of enthusiasm as they told him there is plenty of work out there and they need good QS', but they both told him not to bother with recruitment firms as they are a waste of time and any firm using a recruitment agency has to pay them a finders fee which they prefer not to do. If they are looking for people they advertise in construction magazines. Unfortunately for us, whilst we were out there my daughter became quite ill with pneumonia and when we got home she was our main focus.
We did email one of the companies on our return, but we did leave it a bit late and by then the Perth company needed the position filled within a month, so no good. But our daughter is on the mend now and with life in the UK so depressing at the mo our thoughts are turning back to Perth. I'm addicted to Wanted Down Under and this site!
If you can afford a reccie out to Perth I would really recommend it. We were told a lot of companies won't even consider you if you haven't even visited the country before, but I don't know if this is true. But for you, as much as your DH, you'll be the one dealing with the children and your new life whilst youf OH immerses himself in his new job.
We went in June as it was one of the cheapest times to fly. The only down side to this is as its their winter it can be really really quiet. We tried to eat out on several evenings, but usually had the restaurants to ourselves, I think people hibernate in the winter! But we were assured this is just for the 3 months of winter. But we still loved the place, so clean and family friendly.
I completely understand your fear as its my fear that has stopped us really. Fear of leaving our family and friends, fear of my 7yr settling in school and how it would affect her if we did retrun home after the 3 years. But I'm coming to realise that as much as our friends and family love us, they get on with their own lives and do what suits them best - maybe we should too.
Sorry if I've waffled
Em x x

[Vindee2011]

Hi again Em,
You DH got really lucky back in June. Maybe it will be the same this time round. Is your DH hoping to go out first and line himself up with a position??? Its the idea of standing on the edge of a pier for my DH and jump to take that leap and plunge. Its a big plunge, he fears taking off to go over there for a few weeks and getting interviews... which is totally understandable... if it didnt work out for him, thats alot of money, also could mean his job here as a result and where are we then.... off without a paddle! We also have two kids, a mortgage, other finances to consider. We're hoping not to sell our house, our beautiful home, as property prices are so bad here in Ireland, if we could have it rented it would be perfect, with the option maybe of the 'rent to buy' later down the road.

I also have alot of worries if I would be employable in Perth, I'm a graphic designer almost 12 years now, working with a newspaper for 9 of those. I dont think my position would be as sought after in Perth, and would hate to struggle as a result of that. But willing to keep options, something part time in local area would keep me happy really. Got talking with a few people already but they need someone within the month, which cant happen right now really. Others say 'call into us when your over here'. I would rather get the children settled into schools and kindy, get all the bits and bobs done that need doing, and get into a routine with them. So maybe timing for me isn't just right yet...

I'm also watching Wanted Down Under, also seen it yesterday too. Both made me teary eyed. It will be difficult, boths ups and downs will be had... but hand on my heart it feels the right thing for us to do... we just need to 'jump'. If we like it and want to stay after the 4 years, we'll stay, if not and feel its time to get back to Ireland then we will...

We haven't done the reccie, and if we all/both took one right now, we feel that would leave us financially shorter for when we do get out there. If DH too the reccie, looked for a position worthwhile, weight up our options, see if it can be affordable on one wage until I can get something also, and see what he thinks, I will trust him enough, and take it from there. Both our DH's are in a qualification where they would earn a good wage...

Now Im rambling too, no worries we have alot to take into consideration
Gud chatting with you, let us know what ye decide...

Dee x

[EmmaLou78]

Its not an easy decision is, there is so so much to consider. My DH wouldn't leave the UK without having a job lined up to go to, that's just the way he is and he wouldn't be comfortable taking the risk of going out there without a job offer. But the impression he got is that he wouldn't have to. One lady I've spoken to on PIO has said that apparantly Perth is launching a campaign to recruit British Expats. From what my husband was advised I would suggest your OH contacts some QS firms before he goes out there and tries to line up some interviews for when he arrives. The more research you do the better. We've been to two emigration shows and it was at the 2nd show we realised we really needed to go out and visit Perth as no one is willing to talk to you about employment opportunities unless you have either started your Visa application or if you want to go out on a works Visa they want you to have at least visited the country. Does that make sense?
Hope this helps , not that we've made our decision yet!! Good luck with whatever you plan.
Em xx

[Vindee2011]

Thanks Em, My DH says the same as yours... he doesn't want to leave here til he has something lined up. But we just got a call from a recruiter in Perth and says alot of applications aren't even referred onto potential companies if the applicant hasn't previous aussie work experience!!! Shocker! She if he was that serious about getting over there, he should take a trip out first and get the interviews with suitable companies... We are in brain freeze from all the research we've put together, DH says Im over doing it. I like to know whats what... Its hard to know what's best thing to do... Best of Luck to ye also in whatever ye decide, we will keep you updated... Dee xx

[Marmoset]

I'm a Qs and have been over here for 6 months now. I'd suggest contacting firms directly as this cuts out the agents And gives you more flexibility when negotiating a package and reccie trips etc. My company paid for our reccie when I started my job, which seemed fair enough to me and gives people the impression you're serious about coming over. I think that demand is higher for civils qs's at the moment and estimating is sought after over that.

PM me if you need some more advice on what's haappening and/or fancy sending your OH's CV over. I know my company would be interested in a good planner.

Richard

[EmmaLou78]

I'm a Qs and have been over here for 6 months now. I'd suggest contacting firms directly as this cuts out the agents And gives you more flexibility when negotiating a package and reccie trips etc. My company paid for our reccie when I started my job, which seemed fair enough to me and gives people the impression you're serious about coming over. I think that demand is higher for civils qs's at the moment and estimating is sought after over that.

PM me if you need some more advice on what's haappening and/or fancy sending your OH's CV over. I know my company would be interested in a good planner.

Richard

Thank you Richard. I'll have a chat with my husband and we might take you up on that. How do you PM?
How are you finding things over there, are you glad you made the move?
Emma

[Marmoset]

I think you just click on my name and then the option to message should come up.

It's been pretty easy settling in here to be honest. Once we were in our long term rental it felt as though we'd been here for a few years. People are friendly, work is better than in the UK, predominantly becuase there's a more positive outlook and our son has also taken to it well, hee started school last week and loves it.

I'd say the low comes in when you've got ver that busy spell of getting used to a place and start missing family, but t doesn't seem to last that long.

Richard

[Daisyduck]

Hi. Ive just joined up! My DH is a Senior QS with 17 years experience for main contractors. He is currently looking for employment in Perth. We have our 176 visa and hope to come out in the next few months, depending on when he secures a job. If anyone has any advice on which companies would be good to 'target' then it would be much appreciated! Thanks!