It’s interesting to read the predictions from the CIPD’s labour market outlook (August 2021) and compare construction to other sectors. Overall, 80% of companies expected to be doing a salary review but with a high proportion saying the outcome would depend on company performance.
In such a price-conscious market it’s not easy for the construction industry to pass on rising costs. Increasingly employers are looking at more cost-effective alternatives than simply increasing salaries or head count.
This quarter’s BIM Salary Guide shows the continued upward pressure on salaries created by the widening gulf between supply and demand of experienced BIM talent. Those in good roles are staying in post to remain secure in the face of an uncertain winter. Others are looking to move for the right salary but not always finding this available in the market.
Increasing optimism in Construction is growing business across the board and the prevalence of BIM process as a requirement for tenders means that BIM skills are needed more and more. Demand remains highest for mid-level roles with a few years’ experience but there are increasing trends towards recruiting for budget, rather than experience, with more BIM trainees entering the industry.
Experienced BIM talent is moving towards technology developer and consultancy roles, where budgets are not constrained by established banding and the variety of work is appealing. For large firms wanting to grow or replace lost talent, competition is fierce.
For the industry to address the unprecedented challenge, it will need to think creatively. We hope to see more investment in upskilling to improve efficiency within existing teams – in the CIPD report, 44% of employers rated this as their no.1 solution, with 26% looking for more apprentices instead; raising salaries was the third option. Representing the ostriches, 13% plan on ‘doing nothing’ and worse, only 9% wanting to modernise!
The words of Mark Farmer have never been more relevant: Modernise or die!
Read the full detail from November’s Salary Guide