Home Builders Hiring?

[BrknFngrs]

Does anyone have any insight into the current situation for home builders in Calgary? The girlfriend just graduated and is looking for a position with a home builder here in Calgary but isn't really having much luck.

Her qualifications seem consistent with the expectations for a junior drafting position and her resume, cover letter and portfolio are well prepared, but it doesn't seem like there is much available.

Are they just not hiring due to the slow in housing prices?

If anyone has any insight or knows of any builders that are specifically looking for new hires please let me know.

[frozenrice]

It's pretty tough right now. New home sales are way down so a lot of builders are hurting. I've heard through the grapevine that some of the bigger builders like Jayman, Morrison, UBG (Greeborough, Elite, Today's) have laid people off. If I were her, I'd just keep trying. Most buiilders right now are trying to run lean so hiring more staff isn't high on the priority list.

[BrknFngrs]

^^ Alright, thanks for the input. I suspected that this may be the case but I guess all she can do is keep trying.

[Xtrema]

They just lay off a bunch of people who deal with residential @ BKDI (high rise condos). Word is that they are expecting no activity for 2-3 years.

I'm sure home builders are in the same but slightly better situation.

For drafting, I would look at engineering firms that services the energy sector. I think you'll have some job security for next 3-5 years there.

[88CRX]

Originally posted by Xtrema
Word is that they are expecting no activity for 2-3 years.

Brutal work on their part then.... the industry as a whole has slowed down yes. But only back to a resonable pace. And yes BKDI layed off several junior-ish people that had been there for over a year.

Try to get in with the larger 'international' firms that do work outside of this market as well.... then there's always work to do

[mac_gurl]

My bf is an electrician, and hasn't had much work in residential lately. they are really slowing down, and there aren't many new houses being built.