The government are sending all Irish tradesmen to Europe, Australia and beyond. It's official. They are planning to raise the Asgard 2 and, along with the Jeanie Johnson, cram as many tradesmen, their families, potatoes and other necessary bits on board an Irish fleet not seen since the darkest days of the famine. They looked at using Ryanair but, in the interest of passenger satisfaction, ruled on using overcrowded famine ships instead!
Seriously though - it seems like Irish tradesmen and construction workers are being made walk the plank. The FAS international construction workers employment fair in June was choc-a-block with interested recruiters for countries such as UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovakia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Poland. Then reports from the the "Down Under Expo" in the RDS were of major interest from tradesmen in starting over in fairer climes. Then the government let slip earlier this week that construction workers are being encouraged to seek employment abroad. Ever get that 'you're not needed anymore' feeling?
P.S - I was in Australia earlier in the summer. Speaking to tradesmen in Sydnet I'm not sure that there are a huge number of jobs to be had. A lot of public infrastructure stuff in Brisbane and Perth I'm told though - so just don't expect to be living beside the opera house if you're going!
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Heard a report on newstalk earlier from a hardware shop in Wexford that hardware sales were down 11% this year compared to last year, 20% down over the summer months and nearly 40% down during the month of September. Scary. Apparently tradesmen and property owners aren't buying anymore. Is this true I wonder ? Our own site Handyhardware.ie
is holding it's own but I think that more people are looking for deals online these days. Are tradesmen buying more tools online ?
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I should really post something positive. We received 3,200 requests for tradesmen from Irish property owners in September. Not bad for a country in recession, with no credit and falling house prices.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
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I'm seriosuly thinking about it to be honest. Australia or NZ. Government here let us all down to a fair degree...Whay no jobs in Sydney
ReplyDeleteSimilar shape to us with imploding economy etc. Apparently Brisbane and Perth have exploding populations and need to spend on their infrastructure to catch up as well as catering for all the new property owners.
ReplyDeleteAny idea's where can I find out more about this ? I am interested in moving to Brisbane. If I could sort out a job before I went it would be great. Any suggestions appreciated!
ReplyDeleteCheck with the australian embassy I'd say. Faraway pastures are always greener though...
ReplyDeleteLiek the reference to the asgard Ted. Very topical. I buy all my replacement tools online these days. I find it a fair bit cheaper.
Check with FAS regarding Brisbane. They are the ones who are doing all the encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI am an Irish Chippie living in Brisbane...it's good here. Plenty of work. There was a time though when I was the only Irishman in the local Irish bar, not any more. You should all stay at home!
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