The North in particular is booming, with Inverness now recognised as one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe. Ongoing regeneration of Dundee has also brought significant opportunities.
Major projects under way in Scotland include the building of more than 50 new schools at sites across Glasgow, West Lothian and Edinburgh, worth between £1bn and £2bn. A total expenditure of £600m is expected on water-related projects throughout Scotland, including the £60m Moray Coast, which is the biggest water treatment works in Britain.
New football stadiums in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh are in the pipeline, and there are plans afoot to build one of the UK's biggest wind farms on the outskirts of Glasgow. Work on a £200m new town for Bridge of Earn, near Perth, is set to begin at the end of the year.
Akash Marwaha, manager at Hays Montrose Scotland, says: "With the increasing buoyancy of the economy in Scotland and the increase in major construction projects we are experiencing a skills shortage. Especially extreme is the lack of surveyors, particularly quantity surveyors with two to three years of experience. The reason behind this demand is to do with the number of major/PFI projects due to start.
"Over the next six months I expect there to be an increased demand for construction management staff. The current need for surveyors shows that there are projects to be tendered for, and when these projects are won companies will need site and project managers. Water treatment projects tend to be in remote locations, so professionals willing to work away from home are also particularly sought after."
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Construction Manager