CAREER NEWS

Following Growth Trends in Engineering

By EPCM World contributor Joe Veroni

Future and current market conditions are always in flux, but it never hurts to keep an eye on the stats regarding employment trends. Engineers are always in demand, but what fields are growing the fastest in the U.S. and Canada?

EPCM World takes a closer look at the most popular trends as published by Engineers Canada and the United States’ Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS). Some of the fastest growing engineering fields may surprise you – and one that misses the list may also be surprising. BLS takes a look at projected American job growth up to 2020, while Engineers Canada takes a look at the expected Canadian supply and demand until 2018.

5 – Mining and Geological Engineering

U.S. Growth: 10%, 7,000 jobs by 2020

Canadian Growth: Moderate Supply Pressure

Despite being one of the least populated fields in engineering, jobs for Mining and Geological Engineers are steadily increasing (this field also includes Mining Safety Engineers). With demand for minerals on the rise, mining all over the world is booming, and as relatively few schools provide courses in Mining Engineering, there is a general shortage of Mining and Geological Engineers. However, one of the detractors of this field is frequent travel and working in remote locations. Yet it should also be noted that many current Mining engineers are approaching retirement age, meaning that there will be even more jobs in this field than the 10% growth margin indicates.

4 – Petroleum Engineering

U.S. Growth: 17%, 35,300 jobs by 2020

Canadian Growth: Significant Supply Pressure

Due to being one of the most sparsely populated engineering fields, the Petroleum sector is the fourth fastest growing engineering field. There are excellent opportunities for work in this industry and the supply of graduates will not be able to keep up with global job demand. Petroleum Engineering’s greatest selling point is society’s constant need for new resources, and a continuous search for new ways of extracting more resources from current sites.

3 – Civil Engineering

U.S. Growth: 19%, 313,900 jobs by 2020

Canadian Growth: Significant Supply Pressure

The third fastest growing field in engineering is in the civil sector. Civil Engineering continues to grow faster than the U.S. average despite being the most densely populated engineering field. Focusing on roads, bridges, dams and buildings, Civil Engineers are always in high demand. Add to this the fact that American and Canadian governments are pumping money into infrastructure during a period of economic downturn and it’s a good time to be in Civil Engineering.

2 – Environmental Engineering

U.S. Growth: 22%, 62,700 jobs by 2020

Canadian Growth: Moderate Supply Pressure

An Environmental engineer’s aim is to improve the natural environment, and moreover, to sustain our earth’s resources for future generations. From cleaning water and air to disposing of waste, Environmental Engineering is the second fastest growing engineering field. The growth can be attributed to the private sector being forced to keep up with the federal and state/provincial government’s ever-changing environmental regulations. A focus on cleaning up past hazards, and avoiding the same mistakes in the future, is always at the forefront of the field.

1 – Biomedical Engineering

U.S. Growth: 62%, 25,400 jobs by 2020

Canadian Growth: Moderate Supply Pressure

Biomedical engineering is the fastest growing engineering field in the United States, and is also in strong demand in Canada. Biomedical engineering has only recently (compared to other fields) been considered its own discipline, explaining the relatively low number of practicing Biomedical engineers. This field is based around research and development and is continuously narrowing the gap between engineering and medicine. Advancements in the field are being strived towards, especially due to concerns that current research practices need to become more cost effective. Biomedical engineering is run by an aging workforce, which will also help to create new jobs in the field in the coming years.

Missed the cut:

Mechanical Engineering

U.S. Growth: 9%, 264,600 jobs by 2020

Canadian Growth: Significant Supply Pressure

Mechanical Engineering is growing a slower rate than most engineering fields. However, earning a degree in mechanical engineering is valuable in other engineering sectors as well (including industrial engineering and building sciences). Couple this with the fact that products are always being produced, and products are always being improved - Mechanical Engineers will remain in strong demand. This is also the second most populated engineering field (trailing only Civil), so there remains no shortage of job opportunities for Mechanical Engineers.

SPOTLIGHT SERIES: CANADA'S TOP EMPLOYERS

CLIFTON ASSOCIATES, SASKATCHEWAN

photo of Clifton Associates workers 2011, courtesy of Leaderpost.com

Clifton Associates Ltd. is an engineering consultancy originally founded in 1978 with two offices in Saskatchewan, Canada.  In the past 30 years they have added offices throughout Western Canada and now employ some of the industry’s leaders in Environmental, Geotechnical, Civil, Geological, Water Resources and Transportation Engineering.

Clifton's service areas include:  Civil engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering and earth sciences.

In a candid interview with EPCM World, Jared Galenzoski, a Project Manager with Clifton shares his experiences working for Clifton and in the Canadian praries.

Jared is a Professional geoscientist, registered in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. He graduated from the University of Regina in 2005 and joined Clifton in 2006.

EPCM WORLD: What does your company do best?

JG: Clifton Associates Ltd. (Clifton) provides our clients with “best value solutions” for projects related to the earth and its environment. We do this through providing project engineering, scientific and management services in our core competencies which are Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences. We have creative, highly skilled and trained staff that work to create innovative and cost effective solutions for projects.

EPCM WORLD: Why did you choose to work for Clifton Associates?

JG: Clifton employs a wonderful group of people who have a wealth of knowledge and [can offer] mentorship. I also get exposure on a variety of projects which gives me the ability to be constantly learning something new and developing my skills.

EPCM WORLD: Which projects is Clifton currently involved in?

JG: We are currently working on a variety of projects in Western Canada. Not only in the mining sector but also in transportation, civil, industrial, power generation and petroleum sectors. We find that all of our projects are interesting with their own challenges. We play a senior role in two potash projects, two thermal power projects, a refinery expansion, two uranium mines, several other major industrial projects plus a number of projects in both highways and rail transportation. This is in addition to our normal municipal and public works projects. We have been involved in the up and coming diamond industry forming in Saskatchewan - and that involvement has been very exciting.

EPCM WORLD: How do you compete against some of the bigger companies in your space?

JG: We are a “boutique” firm that specializes in projects within our core competencies and have developed a solid reputation for project delivery in those areas. We have the ability to maintain a close relationship with our clients due to the fact we are a nimble, flexible and smaller group. We use our vast wealth of knowledge and experience to provide services that enables us to compete with bigger companies. Our clients appreciate being able to deal directly with the senior professionals who provide their solutions.

EPCM WORLD: What is the best thing about living/working in Saskatchewan?

JG: The [hot] industries in the province are flat out keeping us busy. I am originally from Saskatchewan and find that the commutes are nice and short compared to when I used to live in Alberta. I also like the closeness of the communities here and you tend to see people you know almost everywhere you go.

EPCM WORLD: What’s the biggest challenge?

JG: Most people find the extremes in the climate a challenge, plus there's the mosquitoes! [Regarding] current projects in Saskatchewan,  there is a shortage of manpower due to the booming industries.

EPCM WORLD: Have you seen an increase in Phase I, II, III EAs?

JG: We have a steady flow of these types of projects and have seen an increase in this activity in Saskatchewan. We have performed this type of work for commercial, civil, industrial, petroleum, municipal, provincial and public works sectors. Our Principals have also had a leadership role in developing a new provincial regulatory regime that will bring greater efficiency to this sector.

EPCM WOLRD: Do you expect the mining industry to continue to be busy in Canada?

JG: I do expect the mining industry to maintain its momentum, but at the same time, it's all dependent on the global markets. Due to global demand and the variety of mineral deposits present in Canada, the mining industry will continue to move along at a good pace. The fact that the mining industry is busy is also creating a demand for another resource, skilled workers and professionals. Western Canada is currently well positioned since the major ore bodies currently being exploited are high grade and have natural advantages in their respective markets.

EPCM WORLD: Thanks Jared!

Interested in working for Clifton?  Check out their website's career section!