CONSTRUCTION JOBS BOOST OUTLOOK

EMPLOYERS in the construction industry plan to boost their headcount whereas hiring in engineering and financial services will fall flat, according to Michael Page.

Findings from the recruiter's 2015/16 Australia Salary and Employment Outlook show hiring levels have been average, but are expected to improve in 2016.

Despite overall positive industry confidence, only 34 per cent of employers surveyed are expecting to hire over the next 12 months.

Michael Page Australia managing director Simon Meyer says the overall trend shows little growth, however there is some variation between sectors.

"Property and construction organisations are hiring aggressively, likewise hiring around infrastructure or anything project oriented," Meyer says.

"However some sectors, such as engineering and financial services, are currently very flat."

Employment opportunities in Queensland and Western Australia continue to develop, while the market in Victoria has settled down following changes in the automotive sector. Employers in New South Wales are enjoying a boom.

A strong company culture is the most popular incentive to attract new talent, as used by 65 per cent of employers with 58 per cent using the same strategy to retain staff.

Financial rewards also top the list, with 71 per cent of employers planning to award staff with a salary increase and 49 per cent with a bonus.

"We continue to see companies tackling the challenges of diversity and flexibility in the work environment very aggressively and companies are offering more on that front than they have ever offered before as a way to keep their best people," Meyer says.

"It would very dangerous for organisations not to review their attraction and retention methods in 2015, if they haven't already."

"Attracting and retaining good quality employees is not just about money anymore."