Spotlight on the Midlands

Hays Montrose manager Phil Jackson points out: "We have had a phenomenal summer — the busiest I've seen for four years. In Birmingham you can see scaffolding on every street corner. There is no sign of the temporary market slowing down and I expect continued growth in the permanent market well into next year."

A variety of multi-million pound construction projects are currently under way in the East Midlands which is particularly evident in the regeneration of the main cities centres. The West Midlands is very buoyant with a number of large projects including the £500m Birmingham Northern Relief Road.

Quantity surveyors, estimators and site managers are particularly in demand. Generally there is a real shortage of surveyors in their mid to late 20s and with around five years experience. As a result of this salaries have risen by around £2000-£3000 in the last 18 months to a peak of £28,000.

Phil adds: "I think there is a general fallacy about the north/south salary divide. I know applicants who decided to move from the South East up to Leicestershire, who had several job offers and are now being paid more money."

The freelance side of the industry in the East Midlands region remains reasonably stable. Nottingham office manager Lisa Palmer says: "Companies are generally very busy, although there are fewer new projects starting up at the moment. The market for permanent staff in Leicester is remaining stable although one or two firms are holding back from taking on staff on a permanent basis.

"The public sector remains busy and we expect much more growth in this market."