Aussie Engineers wanting to head to Singapore - HELP!

[CK the Roo]

Hey Guys.

I along with another Aussie mate are looking to head to Singapore to gain some valuable international experience within the Construction industry.

We have 4-5 years experience as Site/Project Engineers (Civil) and will be looking to find work as soon as possible (after arriving).

We are not planning to head over for another couple of months, and hopefully will be able to land a job prior to leaving Australia.

If not, our task will be made a lot harder.....

My questions are as follows:

1. Is there plenty of construction work available at present?
2. What is a reasonable estimate of monthly expenses?
3. Do you think it is a good idea to make the move without securing a job prior?
4. Any recommended job agencies?

I would appreciate any help.

Cheers

[simmo]

I don't know much about the Singaporean construction industry but do know enough to look out the window to see that there's massive amounts of residential construction work. Also, you might want to look into whether there's any work going on fo the construction of the "Marina Bay Sands" (being developed by the owner of the "Las Vegas Sands"), as that'll be a huge project. I think Arup is doing the engineering. There's also a lot of oil and gas companies in Singapore who do Indonesia focussed engineering/D&C work. I've met friends here in other industries who made the jump before securing anything and the've landed on their feet, so go for it! Hope that helps, Simmo

[CK the Roo]

Thanks mate.

Ideally i can find something prior to leaving. If not, the industry sounds strong and ill have a crack when i arrive.

Cheers

[hei guess what]

It’s very much better to get a job offer first before coming over, preferably with a reputable international corporation. Once you’re in Singapore, your bargaining power for negotiating a good deal is markedly less.

Anyway, do familiarize yourself with the following websites:

Building & Construction Authority
http://www.bca.gov.sg/

Professional Engineers Board
http://www.peb.gov.sg/peb/html/rules.html

Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore (ACES)
http://www.aces.org.sg/

Ministry of Manpower
http://www.mom.gov.sg/InformationForJobSeekers/

Best of Luck

[jacebreen]

My husband came over from Melbourne 11 years ago (he was 23 then) and found a job in 2 days. His salary, a miserable $2500 a month. Now, he's on full expat package (only after we went back home and his co sent him back here). 12 years later!!!

Realistically, if you were to find jobs in the construction industry, you may only be offered a local package. That is about 5K - 7K a month, nothing else. That is with big companies like Dragages where the French are paid too much and everyone else, too little. Local companies are wising up to the fact that locals engineers, though not as good, are about 1/3 the cost as compared to expats.

Other companies have been downsizing, Multiplex, Lendlease etc. They still have projects here, but nothing like 8 years ago. Aussie and English friends of ours in the civil works for contractors are averaging 8-10K a month. They have been here 5+ years. Bear in mind, there's no union to protect this industry, you'll be working long hours, shift work, down on site the whole day etc.

My advice is to get a job before coming here.

[Bafana]

There are a lot of Site and Civil engineers in Singapore already adn most don't gte paid that well unless theya re in Consulting or very senior (10+) or they are are brought in from an overseas company on posting. The casino is a good bet but it will be highly competitive to get a job there.

Other then that there is plenty of construction going on but as said before unless you are lucky or wing it in the above you migth have a hard time of it.

[CK the Roo]

Thanks guys for the comments.

I guess i will just push as hard as i can to get a job prior to leaving. If not, i plan to travel throughout asia looking for something suitable.

If all else fails i can return back to oz (without any regrets).

Cheers

[CK the Roo]

Who is the construction contractor for the new casino. When r works due to commence?

[uk-kiwi]

I think as long as you are not coming here for the bucks then you will have no problem getting a job as there's way too much construction going on in this place. There are lots of very qualified overseas workers (Indian) working in engineering here and they work for hardly anything but contrary to the above poster, they are some of the best in the business so you may have your work cut out for you!!