How to attract top talent in civil engineering

95% of employers in the built environment have experienced a shortage of key skills in the last year, according to our latest Salary & Recruiting Trends guide – the race for talent is on.

Whether you’re in need of more civil engineers to deliver large-scale projects like High Speed Two (HS2), Dogger Bank Wind Farm, and Sizewell C, or you’re looking to fill current skills gaps, it’s crucial to make yourself an employer of choice for job seekers. With civil engineers in high demand, how can you ensure you’re differentiating yourself from your competitors and attracting the top talent in the profession?
 

Tune into industry and workplace trends

How can you be sure you have a strong employee value proposition (EVP) if you don’t know what other companies are offering? Resources like our salary guide feature average salaries across civil engineering roles, so you can pitch competitive salary and benefits packages to job seekers and attract the top talent.

If you’re not offering flexible working options, you could be ruling out huge numbers of talented civil engineers looking for new roles. Hybrid working has become a priority for many job seekers, and even non-negotiable for some, so it’s crucial to establish flexible working policies wherever possible and promote them during recruitment processes.
 

Invest in your employees, and they’ll be more likely to invest in you

Investing in your workforce, both in terms of personal wellbeing and professional development, will not only have a positive impact on your employee satisfaction rates but could be a key differentiator for civil engineers choosing between multiple job offers. You can promote upskilling by funding formal training and certification, like that offered by the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE). Industry webinars and work-shadowing sessions also provide opportunities for career development within smaller businesses with lower training budgets.
 

Make authentic and actionable commitments to sustainability

“The work I do is very intellectually challenging and satisfying, as well as making a great environmental contribution”, says technical director Dr Sarah Williamson in our Building Futures: Career Conversation series.

Civil engineers are increasingly driven to work for organisations that have a positive impact on the planet and local communities. In fact, our salary guide shows that 75% of professionals working in the built environment think a company’s commitment to sustainability is important when considering a new role. However, make sure your sustainability commitments are authentic to your brand – and backed up with action – to avoid claims of greenwashing.
 

Appeal to a diverse range of talent

Ensure your company is attracting a broad range of talent from different backgrounds, of all ages and genders, and you’ll reap the benefits of more creative and productive teams. There’s no doubt that having diverse skills and perspectives within teams has a positive effect on business performance. The most in-demand soft skills in the construction industry include communication skills, problem-solving and adaptability, and hiring more diverse talent could help you fill these skills gaps. Williamson says, “there’s a whole range of skills we need in the industry, and we shouldn’t just consider people who’ve gone down the science-only route.”
 

Take the lead in inspiring the next generation of civil engineers

According to ICE, over the next decade 700,000 professionals are expected to retire from the construction industry.

“As an industry, we need to get beyond the rhetoric,” Williamson says. “We need to figure out the steps that will actually change the dial in the construction industry”. Young civil engineers can bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm for tackling complex issues like climate change, so supporting young talent through apprenticeships and placement programmes is key. Engage with outreach projects through the ICE STEM Ambassador scheme and inspire more students to consider civil engineering as a career option.

Over the next decade, 700,000 professionals are expected to retire from the construction industry, so there’s never been a more critical time to encourage young people to become civil engineers.

Want to learn more about attracting and retaining top talent in civil engineering? Get in touch with our expert consultants for more talent management insights and advice, tailored to your organisation’s needs.