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Engineering, Manufacturing & Technical Recruitment
- Market Commentary October 2009

Since our June commentary the employment market in general has shown moderate signs of recovery, with recruitment activity sporadic as businesses cautiously recommence their hiring plans. The “wait and see” approach is beginning to lift. “Cautiously positive”, seems to best describe employer sentiment at present.  There have been signs of a recovery in hiring intentions in the engineering, manufacturing and technical sectors, albeit slow. We are waiting for consumer confidence to rebound and for government infrastructure spending to take hold. 

Unlike previous recessions, we have not seen massive redundancies of staff.  Rather, we believe that our clients have opted to reduce employees work hours as they have realized how difficult it is to attract and retain talent.  Companies will hopefully be rewarded for their farsightedness by having an already trained, committed and loyal workforce when the economy fully rebounds.

Consequently, there has not been a huge demand for contract labour to fill the usual gaps.  As the economy continues to improve and business confidence rises the return to substantial contract numbers will still lag as full time employees return to normal hours. 

Has the tide turned or are there still some bad days at the office ahead?  Most pundits seem to believe that it will be another 5 or 6 months before a marked upturn occurs, and this is probably the most likely prediction. 

Following are our observations of the key recruitment markets we have been operating in since 1979.

Construction Engineering & Management

Construction activity over the last 3 months has been varied depending on the sector in question. The new building sector has seen one of its largest contractions in memory with only a few commercial developments propping up the activities of a small number of firms.

On a brighter note, civil engineering activity has been more consistent with several ongoing rail, road and water related projects. With commitment from State and Federal governments, there are more of these infrastructure projects with planned commencement dates later this year and into 2010. However despite the positives we have noticed a marked slow-down in recruitment of new professionals within the civil engineering sector. It is evident from speaking with our clients that many civil engineering contractors are deferring major recruitment decisions for the time being, whilst redeploying resources internally and avoiding over committing by waiting for newly awarded contracts to be formally signed off.

We are still inviting applications from Project Engineers, Supervisors and Project Managers with engineering qualifications or training and experience, who are keen to learn about new opportunities. We are also handling some recruitment assignments in Saudi Arabia and candidates with water treatment and sewage plant treatment design and project management are in demand.

Consulting Engineering and Building Services

The September quarter was up and down for the engineering consultancies. In the cases where activity has picked up it has allowed companies to return their staff to full time hours rather than engaging new hires or building new project teams. Other consultancies have found that their larger projects are winding down and there are few large projects on the horizon.

As mentioned last issue there is still demand for Green credentials such as Green star and NABERS qualifications as clients are focusing much of their attention to refurbishment and upgrading of inefficient building systems to meet new environmental standards

Whilst the design phase on many major projects has wound down, the construction phases are now in full swing. There are currently opportunities for experienced HVAC estimators and as always experienced AutoCAD Project drafters with experience in producing shop drawings for the HVAC industry

Automotive Engineering

Greater consumer confidence is reflected in the sales of new motor vehicles. There appears to be a shift in consumer preference towards smaller, lower fuel consumption vehicles. Industry optimism is growing. That said we have not seen a significant upturn in hiring as yet. Companies appear to be redistributing workloads internally. The decline in permanent recruitment has stopped, however permanent placements in the automotive industry are dramatically lower. You only have to look at job boards like Seek to realise how severe this downturn has been (at time of publication of this Market Commentary there were only twelve permanent engineering automotive positions listed in Melbourne).

With an increasingly competitive global automotive market, the next months will no doubt continue to be challenging. Finding suitably skilled candidates will always be a concern for employers; there are pockets of the labour market where skilled candidates continue to be in short supply. Candidates with engineering automotive skill sets are sought after across a variety of industry sectors. We continue to encourage candidates wishing to move out of the automotive industry into sectors like manufacturing or defence, for instance, to highlight their automotive skills, including their project management and analytical problem solving abilities. Once again we are cautioning all automotive candidates to remember that it is important not to define themselves by the industry sector they have come from, but by the skills and competencies they will bring to their next position.

Drafting

The demand for drafters still remains low and is one of the worst affected areas of the downturn.  Unfortunately the optimism of the new financial year’s budgets having a knock-on effect for contract drafters has not occurred.

Areas where demands still remain strong are building services, civil, structural and HVAC.  Drafters with experience in detailed shop drawings for mechanical services / HVAC are highly sought.  The demand in these sectors has been maintained but so has the requirement for demonstrated experience and the transition from other markets like automotive and manufacturing still remains challenging.

Contractors are still offering to be flexible in their hourly rate expectations in order to gain the work.

Electronics / Technology Engineering

We have entered the final quarter of the worst year since the Great Depression with conflicting signals.  In the Electronics/ Technology Engineering arena, July was hectic, August was gloomy and September showed some flickering signs of life.  Employers are now taking up the slack at present as there are a large body of workers on reduced hours. 

Employer expectations are, as seems to be the trend, very specific indeed and their caution before hiring is probably driven by economic uncertainty as well as by the need to ensure that whoever joins the business clearly demonstrates that he or she can add value.  The days of “let’s give him/her a go and see how they go” are dead.  The risk of a bad fit or poor performer is very costly.

Where there have been scary days in 2009, there are also exciting days too ahead in 2010, and the committed, achieving professional has much to look forward to.  One feels particularly for the ranks of unemployed graduates – graduate opportunities are so scarce.  What encouragement can we offer, except to stay focused and to not lose heart. 

Remember, do not forget that at interview, you will be expected to supply specific details of what you have done, even in University projects.

It’s excellent, I wish I had written it myself. Best of luck.

Manufacturing Professionals

While this sector of the job market has not shown any noticeable upswing over the last few months, it has become very obvious that quite a number of manufacturing companies are showing a very positive outlook for their future prospects.  We have recently received enquiries from clients looking for production team leaders (plastics and bio medical experience), production manager and quality manager (food) and an engineering manager (beverage production and bottling).

However, there will likely be no immediate upswing in vacancies over the next few months as most companies have retained staff on reduced hours and will take up the slack in hours before recruiting externally.

As there is every chance of this being a bumper Christmas for retailers, most manufacturers will return to find improved order books and therefore start hiring staff from February onwards, starting from the factory floor and progressing to support staff.

Regards

The Team at Australia Wide Personnel

Engineering, Manufacturing & Technical Recruitment

Since 1979

www.australiawide.com.au

Envisioning the Open Road: Automotive Designers Creating the Cars of Today & Tomorrow

By Damian McKnight
Designschools.com Contributing Writer

It can be argued that no design career is sexier than that of the Automotive Designer. Today’s designers embody the styles and culture of today while contouring the style of tomorrow. They utilize product design principles and emerging technology to create commercial, yet innovative, designs for new automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans. Often working in tandom with a large team of engineers, designers work to ensure that their concepts are appealing to consumers, can actually lead to functioning automobiles, and are environmentally friendly and affordable. Not to mention…..sexy.

History

In the United States, automotive design reached a critical juncture in 1924 when the American national automobile market began reaching saturation. To maintain sales, General Motors pioneer Alfred P. Sloan Jr. suggested annual model-year design changes in the hope that car owners would want to buy a new replacement each year. His strategy succeeded and was later adapted by rest of the industry.

The most celebrated American auto designer is probably Harley Earl,who brought the tailfin and other aeronautical design references to auto design in the 1950s. Earl is joined among legendary auto designers by Gordon Buehrig, responsible for the Auburn 851 and iconic Cord 810 and 812. Another notable designer who had a markedly different style was Chrysler group’s designer Virgil Exner, an early pioneer of Cab forward (a.k.a.Forward look) design in mid-1950s. Exner is also credited with introducing the pointed tail fins in the 1956 Plymouth Belvedere later adapted by all other Detroit studios.

The Work

The tasks of a car design team are usually split into three main aspects: exterior design, interior design, and color and trim design. Graphic design is also an important aspect of automotive design; this is generally shared amongst the design team as the lead designer sees fit. Design focuses not only on the isolated outer shape of automobile parts, but concentrates on the combination of form and function, starting from the vehicle package. Here is a breakdown of the design elements:

Exterior Design: The stylist responsible for the design of the exterior of the vehicle is the one who develops the proportions, shape, and surfaces of the vehicle. Exterior design is first done by a series of digital or manual drawings, and clay (industrial plasticine) models are developed from those drawings. 3 and 5 CNC Milling Machines are utilized in creating the clay model of the final design.Even in modern times with 3d software and virtual models on powerwalls, the clay model is still the most important tool in evaluating the design of a car and therefore used throughout the industry. The data from these models are then used to create a further mockups of the final design.
Interior Design: The stylist responsible for the interior design of the vehicle develops the proportions, shape, placement, and surfaces for the instrument panel, seats, door trim panels, headliner, pillar trims, etc. With the interior, the emphasis is on ergonomics and the ultimate comfort of the passengers. The design process with the interior design of the car is the same as with exterior design (sketch, digital model and clay model).The aesthetic value of the interior will need to correspond to ergonomic functionality and utility features as well. In particular, vehicular electronic components and parts will give more challenges to automotive designers who are required to update designs based on the latest information and knowledge associated with emerging vehicular gadgetry, particularly dashtop mobile devices, like GPS navigation, satellite radio, HD radio, mobile TV, MP3 players, video playback and smartphone interfaces.
Color and Trim Design: The color and trim (or color and materials) designer is responsible for the research, design, and development of all interior and exterior colors and materials used on a vehicle. These include paints, plastics, fabric designs, leather, grains, carpet, headliner, wood trim, and so on. Designers work closely with the exterior and interior designers and draw inspiration from other design disciplines such as: industrial design, fashion, home furnishing, architecture and sometimes product design.
Graphic Design: The design team also develop graphics for items such as: badges, decals, dials, switches, kick or tread strips, liveries. Concept sketching
Clay modeling
Class A surfaces
Scale model creation
Prototype development
Computer-aided design
Computer modeling
Powertrain engineering
Manufacturing process design

The Development Process

Includes the following steps:

Education

Automotive design is practiced by designers who have art backgrounds and degrees in industrial design or transportation design. Careers related to Auto Design include product design, automotive engineering, and electrical engineering. Successful designers need to be creative and should have strong math, drawing, and science skills. They must also have strong skills in computer-aided draftingand communication.

Since Automotive Design is a very competitive field, a high level of academic achievement is beneficial when looking for an entry-level job. Courses such as industrial design, electrical engineering, mathematics, environmental science and computer-aided drafting are often required for designers looking to break into the industry. An automotive engineering degree program can provide simulation training and hands-on experience in the field. An internship or work study program is often a necessary component of many automotive engineering colleges, and this can provide immediate job placement after graduation.

The following schools of higher education are recommended:

Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA
Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA
The Art Institutes
College for Creative Studies Detroit, MI
Humber College Toronto, Canada
Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI
Pratt Institute New York, NY
Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta, GA
University of Cincinnati – School of Design Cincinnati, OH

Outlook

Despite the stagnant growth of the automotive manufacturing industry, careers in automotive design is still projected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014. There is still a high demand for skilled engineers who specialize in technology and computer-aided processes and a focus on an increasing fuel-efficient economy offer valuable opportunities for a successful automotive engineering career.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that starting offers averaged $48,585 for those with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. However, salaries for car designers varies greatly depending on experience, employer and location.

Article also available at http://www.designschools.com/careers-jobs/automotive-designer.html