THE large number of infrastructure projects under way in south-east Queensland is creating intense demand for skilled civil construction workers.

All industry specialisations - including roads, heavy infrastructure, water projects, desalination plants and greenfield water treatment plants - are undergoing aggressive recruitment drives for staff.

"We cannot emphasise enough the strength of the local market," says Hays Construction regional director Simon Bristow.

"While vacancy activity has been growing strongly since 2001, current and planned workloads mean demand for civil construction skills is now at an all-time high - far above the average growth level and at once in a lifetime height across the full spectrum of civil construction."

So why is demand so high?

"Civil construction employers are experiencing an overwhelming response for their expertise," says Mr Bristow.

"Some of our clients are recruiting well before a project's start date, to incorporate both management and site personnel in early planning and site works before progressing to major construction works."

He says there are many opportunities for professionals who want to further diversify their skills with new technology, while being exposed to leading companies that utilise the skills of their people.

"Those people living in south-east Queensland will be fully aware that in the past 10 years, they have had to either follow the work to remote locations around Australia or further afield.

"The local area can now provide job opportunities that will advance your career," he says.

Jobs available include project engineers, project managers, superintendents; civil supervisors and forepersons, estimators, site engineers, safety and environmental managers, project planners, cost planners, commercial managers, mechanical engineers, QA managers, design managers and surveyors.