Record Infrastructure Investment Drives UK Recruitment Campaign
27th January 2017, Auckland.
Unprecedented infrastructure investment across New Zealand, Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region, coupled with a
critical shortage of engineering professionals, has sparked a massive UK-based talent drive by this country’s leading
civil and environmental engineering consultancy.
Tonkin + Taylor’s Executive Leader of Engineering Services, Richard Hancy, says the shortage of engineering and science
professionals needs to be addressed in order to meet an Australasia-wide “perfect storm”.
Mr Hancy says the boom years ahead are being driven by both the public and private sectors, with the New Zealand
Government alone earmarking $NZ50 billion for large-scale infrastructure projects over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, the
New South Wales Government has announced an $AUS20 billion plan to “turbocharge” its economy.
“As a result, planning and construction related activity in transportation, commercial buildings, water infrastructure,
housing and many other sectors is getting busier and busier,” Mr Hancy says.
“As a specialist engineering and environmental consulting firm, Tonkin + Taylor is deeply embedded in these investment
programmes, and expects that to grow looking forward.”
A team of Tonkin + Taylor executives and recruiters will head for London’s Down Under Live Job Expo, due to take place
on February 25-26.
“Our award-winning engineers, scientists, planners and project managers are the most critical component in ensuring our
ability to continue delivering the high quality work T+T is known for. It’s vital that we attract the best of the best,”
says Mr Hancy.
The move aligns Tonkin and Taylor with the New Zealand Government’s long-term goal of providing resilient and
coordinated infrastructure that contributes to a strong economy and high living standards. Its projected $NZ50 billion
spend over the next decade includes a $NZ13.9 billion land transport programme to be commissioned by 2018, a $1.8
billion investment in local infrastructure and a further $NZ2.2 billion tagged for Crown assets associated with the
Christchurch rebuild.
Further challenges and opportunities will arise as infrastructure networks need expanding or renewing and cities come to
grips with an ageing, increasingly urbanised population.
Sourcing overseas talent will not only help to address the current shortage of engineers, but allow T+T to maintain an
international perspective vital in a rapidly changing world.
ENDS