Welcome to Blueprint Recruitment’s first Quarterly Market Update! 

An insightful industry newsletter that covers everything you need to know about the current Built Environment market.

What we’ll cover:

•             Insight into the Built Environment 
•             Roles in demand
•             The future of flexible working

Exploring The Built Environment

Over the past year, we have seen first-hand how the Built Environment industry has evolved in response to a rapidly changing landscape. From the rising demand for data storage to the need for sustainable residential solutions, the opportunities within this industry are only continuing to expand. We are witnessing exciting developments across various sectors, including data centres, defence, commercial, rail, and residential construction. As we navigate these changes together, we are eager to share our insights and highlight the trends shaping the future of the Built Environment heading into the last quarter of 2024. 

One of the standout stars in this landscape is the data centre sector, thriving in the UK and internationally. As our reliance on data storage and digital infrastructure skyrockets, we are witnessing a flurry of exciting projects, particularly driven by the demand for AI. The UK data centre market is estimated to be 2.19 thousand MW in 2024, and is expected to grow to 3.61 thousand MW in the next 5 years. With a strong pipeline of projects lined up across the UK for next year, now is the perfect time for design and engineering professionals to enter this thriving market.

On a steadier note, the defence and commercial sectors remain a solid choice for those seeking long-term projects with secure funding. This quarter, we have actively contributed to a variety of defence initiatives, particularly in architecture, civil, structural, and building services industries. If you’ve got experience in this field, you’ll discover a wealth of roles that offer not just job security but also real opportunities for career growth.

After a quieter period, the rail sector is finally showing signs of life, with an increase in enquiries for skilled professionals. This revitalisation indicates a rebound, making it an excellent time for those with experience and skills in this field to jump back in as new projects are poised to roll out. Similarly, we have seen more enquiries for residential projects, signalling a return to market confidence. The government’s ambitious plan to build 1.5 million new homes reflects this renewed energy, backed by updates to the National Policy Planning Framework and funding for new planning officers. Plus, initiatives like a mortgage guarantee scheme for first-time buyers will only enhance opportunities in this area.

Taking a look into the contract and permanent markets, we have witnessed a number of professionals who historically thrived as contractors now opting for the security of permanent positions. This result could be due to the rise of shorter-term roles, making it trickier to predict future placements. Furthermore, companies feeling the pinch of skill shortages are increasingly looking to contractors to fill these gaps. Conversely, in the data centre and defence sectors, skilled professionals seem to be confident enough to leave permanent roles for contract positions, driven by long-term project commitments and a rising demand for specific expertise.

Roles in Demand

Here are some of the most sought-after roles right now:

• Electrical and Mechanical Design Engineers: There’s a growing demand for Electrical Design Engineers with experience in high-stakes environments like Data Centres, hospitals, or other complex projects. Positions such as Electrical and Mechanical engineers with mission-critical experience are particularly sought after, reflecting the increased activity in the data centre sector. Compared to the same period last year, there has been a marked increase in demand, influenced by advancements in AI and the growing need for data storage solutions.
  
  
• Power Engineers: With energy needs ramping up, Power Engineers are critical to designing the electrical systems that power everything from commercial projects to major infrastructure. It’s a good time to be in this field, with plenty of opportunities waiting.
  
  
• Defence Design Experts: Across all design disciplines, there’s strong demand for those with defence project experience. Whether your focus is civil, structural, or mechanical, your expertise is highly valued as the defence sector continues to expand its infrastructure.

Flexible working – Is it here to stay?

Flexible working has rapidly become popular among individuals across the UK, particularly following the shifts seen during the global pandemic. Whether it’s remote, hybrid, or flexi-hours, many employees have developed a new work-life balance, with increased autonomy and the ability to better manage personal commitments. Now, even with offices fully open again, it is evident that the demand for flexible working remains strong.

Take a look at the data we collected from our placements across the Built Environment in Quarter 1* in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. 

Both graphs reveal a consistent trend in the rise of remote work from 2023 to 2024, indicating a growing preference for working from home across different sectors. While remote work continues to gain traction, hybrid work has seen a slight decline, but still remains a strong preference for employers and employees. We have noted that candidates across the Built Environment are more open to the idea of working in the office again, but the majority still would prefer some flexibility or to work remotely where possible. Full-time office work, although still the least popular option, has experienced a modest increase, showing that a small portion of the workforce is returning to traditional office settings.

And it’s not just within the Technical market. A new study reveals that the majority of UK CEOs anticipate a full return to office work within the next three years. The KPMG 2024 CEO Outlook report, which surveyed 1,300 CEOs globally, including 150 from the UK, found that 83% of UK CEOs expect a complete return to the office by then—a 19 percentage point increase from last year!

Despite this, there is still a strong leaning towards remote setups. Hybrid models remain popular, but full-time office work is certainly making a comeback. The Blueprint Team have witnessed that companies are encouraging individuals to return to the office, at least on a hybrid basis, with new candidates often expected to be office-based for an initial period. This trend suggests that while flexibility remains key, organisations are increasingly balancing remote work options with the need for in-person collaboration, particularly during the early stages of employment or onboarding.

That’s a Wrap!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this first edition of Blueprint Recruitment's Quarterly Market Update! From the booming data centre sector to the revitalisation of rail projects, there’s a wealth of demand for skilled professionals across the Built Environment. The conversation around flexible working continues to shape the way we approach our careers, providing options that cater to both employee preferences and business needs.

As always, our team at Blueprint Recruitment is here to help you navigate these changes and explore new opportunities. Stay connected for more insight next quarter, as we’ll explore other informed topics such as IR35, new projects, and more!  Do not hesitate to reach out if you’d like to discuss your career path or how we can help your business thrive.