What We're Seeing This Spring
Spring’s always been a bit of a gear shift in the world of M&E; projects ramp up, plans that were “waiting for the new tax year” get going, and more people start thinking about their next move.
But this year? It feels especially active.
We’ve had more client calls, more CVs landing in the inbox, and more “just testing the waters” chats than usual for this time of year. So we thought we’d share what we’re seeing from our side of the desk - the good, the interesting, and the bits to keep an eye on.
Demand’s climbing, but it’s focused
We’re not talking about a flood of scattergun hiring here. Clients aren’t taking chances on half-matches or “they’ll do for now” hires. The roles we’re recruiting for are deliberate and well-thought-out.
Right now, we’re seeing particular demand for:
Electrical and Mechanical Project Managers with strong client-facing experience
M&E Quantity Surveyors that are used to handling £2–10m diverse packages
Design Engineers who can think commercially and not just technically
If you’re in one of those roles and considering a move, the window’s wide open. If you’re a client struggling to fill these gaps, you’re far from alone.
The "Skills Shortage" still looms
But, it’s more nuanced than headlines suggest
Yes, there’s still a shortage of qualified professionals. What we’re noticing is that it's specific.
It’s not that there aren’t enough candidates full stop, it’s that employers want people with a certain type of experience:
North-West market knowledge
Sector familiarity (education, healthcare, data centres, etc.)
Ability to hit the ground running with minimal hand-holding
If you’ve built your experience steadily over the last few years, that depth is incredibly valuable right now - more than job-hopping, and definitely more than buzzwords.
Candidates are quietly on the move
Here's something interesting:
We’re seeing more passive candidates, people who aren’t actively applying, showing interest in opportunities through word-of-mouth, referral, or quiet LinkedIn browsing.
They’re not unhappy… but they’re curious.
Curious about better packages, better culture, or roles closer to home. And with the cost of commuting and work-life balance still top of mind, that curiosity is growing louder.
For employers?
That means if your job ads or interview process aren’t up to scratch, you’ll miss these candidates. They’ll vanish before you even realise they were even looking.
Hybrid is less of a pull; flexibility is everything
The conversation has shifted. Two years ago, “hybrid” was the magic word. Now? It’s about true flexibility.
That might mean:
Compressed hours
Better site rotation
Trust-based scheduling
Fewer unnecessary 7am site visits
The companies embracing this are winning the talent race. Especially with senior professionals who’ve “been there, done that” and want to work smarter, not just harder.
What’s next?
If this pace continues, we expect a very active summer, especially in the lead-up to September project launches.
So whether you’re thinking about hiring, or thinking about your next step, now’s a good time to start the conversation.
Because when projects kick off, the talent goes quickly.
Let’s have a chat, even if you’re just testing the waters.
📱 07958016375
✉️ mike.halliwell@ravensearch.co.uk