Any Contract Administrators (or Wifes of) on here? Advice sought prior to Jul arrival

[Roadhouse]

Hi All,

 

Its normally my wife who would be posting on here but thought I'd give it a go as I could really do with some advise.

 

We arrive in Perth in just over 5 weeks (30/07/14) and the plan is for me to look for work straight away, or even in advance if possible.

 

I work for a main contractor here in the UK as a Contract Surveyor (Contractor QS) and I have been advised the equivelent out in OZ is a Contract Administrator. I've been in the Construction Industry for nearly 14 years now, I have a trade background (in Joinery) and a BSc (hons) Degree in Quantity Surveying.

 

I have some Agency / Recruitment contacts from Perth who say they will help me search for a job once I arrive, however all the positions I see currently (and historically) advertised, state local knowledge and experience is essential!

 

I just wondered if any other UK QS's on here have made the move and how easy (or hard) they found it to secure employment? Was this 'Local Experience' a problem?

 

Also, does anyone know of any courses I should be looking to book on to help me out with the 'local knowledge' element , or any literature or on-line training I could complete prior to our arrivial?

 

Many Thanks in advance for your help with this!

 

Lee

[Deb]

Hi we been hete 8 Weeks and Oh is struggled trying to find work he is in Construction but a engineer.Not sure how hard it is getting a QS post.Good luck.

[Roadhouse]

Hi Deb,

 

Thanks for your reply, is there positions advertised which he's applied for but hasn't been short listed or is there just not many jobs going?

 

I'm hoping to get fixed up within the first 3 month otherwise may have to go FIFO as a last option which isn't ideal leaving wife and kids at home so early after moving, but I've been told these are easier to get as not as sought after, that way I can get the experience of the OZ way of working and hopefully get a local job soon after.

 

hope your Oh gets something sorted soon.

 

I see from your location heading yous are in Rockingham, how you finding it? We're heading to Baldivis and hoping to settle there after our 5 week holiday let is up. Did yous find a house ok etc

 

thanks

 

Lee

[verystormy]

First the bad.

 

Engineering is suffering at the moment and while advertised positions are down generally, engineering is down the highest - I posted the link somewhere on this. But it is over 30%.

 

Second, do not assume FIFO. Mining and resource projects are in significant downturn - there have been thousands of redundancies and one of the biggest engineering companies going bust with the loss of a couple of thousand jobs. At present I only know of one mine in construction and no plans for more.

 

Now the good

 

There are several major projects due to commence. There are some major new highways, a significant number of new high rise buildings for the new Elizabeth Quay.

 

But the boom times of WA are gone and you should expect the fight to get work to be significantly tougher than it was 12 months ago.

[Deb]

[QUisTE=Roadhouse;104621]Hi Deb,

 

Thanks for your reply, is there positions advertised which he's applied for but hasn't been short listed or is there just not many jobs going?

 

I'm hoping to get fixed up within the first 3 month otherwise may have to go FIFO as a last option which isn't ideal leaving wife and kids at home so early after moving, but I've been told these are easier to get as not as sought after, that way I can get the experience of the OZ way of working and hopefully get a local job soon after.

 

hope your Oh gets something sorted soon.

 

I see from your location heading yous are in Rockingham, how you finding it? We're heading to Baldivis and hoping to settle there after our 5 week holiday let is up. Did yous find a house ok etc

 

thanks

 

Lee

 

Hi Lee he has applied for loads but no one gets back to you, Like VS said there is not as many jobs out there.OH has applied for jobs out side Engineering as well. We just hoping something comes along soon before money runs out.

We love Rockingham beaches are great for the kids.

We had a holiday let and Fri we moved into a rental.We paid 3 months rent up front so we could secure it with us not working..

It Is a lovely place bring as much money as you can.

Food we found is not to expensive we noticed before we left England that the supermarket where going expensive.

Enjoy and PM if you want to get in touch when you arrive and if OH is working he may be able to help you out.

[Roadhouse]

Thanks for the update VS,

 

thats are only major worry really, I have to find work in the first 3 month. I'm bringing all my tools too as I'm a joiner by trade, so might get fixed up that way at first if need be. Not that I'm saying that's going to be any easier to find work.

 

Thanks Deb, that would be great, I'll let Joanne (wife) know as she's better at arranging those kind of things. We have 2 kids 9 and 4 and they'll love the beaches and we just can't wait to get out there now.

[verystormy]

Joiners are in big demand. There is a lot of house building going on.

[lozzachino]

The local wa experience is a tough one to get round. OH lost out on a great role and apparently the only difference was the other guy had 6 months of wa experience! This was a year ago now and its tougher now than last year. OH is an estimator/qs. Eventually got a role as an estimator but in a different area of construction so was like learning all over again. Look at contract/temp roles as these can lead to permanent jobs or worst case it gives you the local experience!

[Roadhouse]

Thanks guys,

 

VS, that's reassuring and always an option just to get some money coming in.

 

Lozzachino, I'm an estimator / QS too, I was thinking of looking into estimating also so will keep an eye out. Once it's only 2 weeks until we arrive I'll be getting back in touch with the recruitment companies and also applying direct for any suitable positions

[kylel39]

Hi Lee,

 

I arrived in Perth Last September and had a job arranged prior to arrival as an Estimator/Contract Administrator - which was probably quite lucky. I stayed with that company for 6 months (they were terrible) then moved to another company whom I'm with now and they're great (all sub-contractors - commercial roofing and then commercial tiling).

 

I have just recently been sort of 'head-hunted' by another sub-contractor/supplier through a recruitment agency via Linkedin and have been offered another position just yesterday which I think I'm going to take.

 

My opinion is, If you got the right experience and put yourself out there then I think you'll get a job. I sent my resume off to around 40+ companies prior to arrival and applied for jobs via seek again prior to arrival. Some got back to me, many didn't but I kept plugging away and got somewhere. Recruitment agents can be a pain but some are helpful and will bare you in mind for future opportunities.

 

Any queries or questions you have, just drop me a PM or on here and I'll try answer as best I can.

 

Kyle