How many times do you think you will hear the words “The Olympics” this year? Got a figure? Now multiply it by another six years.

You may already be sick of hearing the word London 2012, or even seeing Lord Coe on your flat screen, but stay calm because the games will open up a wide range of career opportunities for construction managers across the country.

Research by CITB-ConstructionSkills is already estimating that thousands of managers will be needed to lead, design and build venues for 2012 (Lure of the Rings, page 34-35). Great news if you are a site or project manager, where wages are expected to rocket. And with your skills in such demand you get to be as choosy as you like: so think carefully before choosing the silver or black Audi for your company car or how many noughts you would like for your bonus!

Already, there is anecdotal evidence that the migration down south has already begun. And it’s not just for 2012. Over the next few years the South-east and greater London will be building more than £30bn worth of projects and many want a slice of the action.

But it’s bad news for employers who will have to come to terms with the fact that some of their best employees may want to pack their bags and follow the Olympic torch down to the East End. There’s nothing quite like having the Olympics on your CV to improve your future career prospects.

As for your old boss, he may find it hard trying to replace you. That’s not just because you’re irreplaceable (clearly), it’s because it can take months to find a suitable candidate.

Recruitment agencies are already hard-pressed to find staff to fill outstanding vacancies. Some are using innovative methods to plug the gap - the best we heard was of one agency rumoured to be flying in planeloads of cost consultants from overseas.

Don’t knock it, as this appears to be answer. Former Olympic hosts Athens looked to Europe for help and got the job done.

But even that’s a quick fix.

Right now, construction has a huge opportunity to make a little Olympic-sized history of its own. If it can get the right people on board and spread the message that construction is the industry to be in right now, and has the wages and career prospects to match, the results could be so much better than a gold medal. This would be a real and lasting legacy to be proud of.

Now repeat after me: “I love the word Olympics.”

Source

Construction Manager