On-course Kier shows builders how to hang out the bunting

[Tony]

While most British housebuilders are depressed, Kier Group, which combines housebuilding with support services and other construction, is proving resilient. It announced yesterday in a trading update that it expects to report full-year profits before tax in line with market expectations of about £88 million and ahead of last year’s £77.6 million.

More...On-course Kier shows builders how to hang out the bunting

[willyj]

Confirmation that the current economic problems are related to housebuilding alone, while construction in other sectors remains buoyant.
The problem within the industry now relates to the numbers of managers, technicians, trades and subcontractors, previously employed in housing, that are looking for work in other sectors.
Which can be good news for industrial, commercial, retail and public sector clients as costs are driven down by greater competition, not so good if the skills on offer do not fit the job.

[Colin Jack]

Willyj,

Couldn't agree more. Having seen some CVs with grossly inflated salaries and limited skills from those bailing out of the house building industry all I can say is good luck in finding a job.

I have met a few graduates and technicians in my time and when they talk about career progression in Civil / Structural Engineering I always tell them - avoid house builders like the plague. By all means go to a Consultant who does work for a house builder or a Local Authority who approves what house builders do, but never to the house builders themselves. Of those who ignored my advice, when I speak to them again it all sounds so familiar. Pigeonholed into doing drainage or road layouts but very little else and absolutely no career progression. When they realise their mistake and try to get back into the mainstream, no-one wants to employ them, if they do it will be no where near the salary package they got at the house builder.

Just my opinion and what I see.