The number of civil engineers working independently is on the rise
Lately, I’ve started checking out various people’s social media accounts. I’ve been following everyone who catches my interest one after another and keeping up with their posts.
In that context, something suddenly caught my attention. It was the fact that the number of civil engineers working independently, rather than for a company, is on the rise.
Their backgrounds vary widely. For example, there is someone who spent several decades working in civil engineering construction management at a general contractor and now works independently, taking on tasks such as drawing up blueprints and performing quantity surveys. Their backgrounds vary widely: for example, there is someone who, after working for a general contractor and a construction consulting firm, now works independently, taking on design projects from various clients; and someone who served as a department head at a general contractor and now works independently, handling tasks such as document preparation.
When I look at their social media posts, I see that most of them have a heavy workload, and many are looking for contractors—posting messages like, “Looking for someone to help out” or “Is there anyone with design experience in the field of XX?”
Alternatively, I’ve also seen somewhat larger companies constantly recruiting design engineers and CAD operators under various conditions (full-time employees, contract employees, part-time workers, reduced-hour work schedules, options to work X days a week, remote work allowed, etc.).
It seems that some companies are looking for individuals to handle specific tasks on a freelance basis, in addition to hiring employees.
Many companies are facing labor shortages and a shortage of technical personnel.
Actually, I’ve started to get the occasional job offer here and there.
Since I work full-time at a certain company, my available time is limited, and I often have to turn down opportunities, but whenever I think I can manage it, I try to take on the task—even if it’s just as a volunteer. Doing so allows me to step away from my work at the company for a while and focus on something else, which helps clear my head.
Many of the tasks I’m currently working on are routine, such as revising drawings or adjusting quantities. Even so, I feel that being entrusted with these tasks on my own is a very valuable experience.
That aside, the fact that companies are outsourcing work to individuals suggests that an increasing number of companies simply can’t keep up with their workload without getting help—from anyone, really (?). In particular, I’ve heard that companies with strong technical capabilities are being inundated with more work than they can handle.
Far from being resolved, the declining birthrate and aging population are continuing to progress gradually. As a result, many companies are facing labor shortages and a shortage of skilled workers. The reality is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to handle the same or even greater volume of work than before.
Why Are More People Taking on Freelance Work These Days?
Working as a freelancer is actually nothing new. There have always been people who do this.
There were people who started their own companies and worked from a desk they were allowed to use at a friend’s company, as well as others who used their homes as offices and took on construction-related work from job sites. There were also people who received a large volume of work from major construction consulting firms. And I’ve seen quite a few people who, during slow periods, work as temporary employees at construction consulting firms or on job sites.
However, people like that didn’t stand out as much as they do now, and since social media wasn’t nearly as popular back then, I think there were fewer people sharing their thoughts. So, they didn’t get the kind of attention they do today.
However, these days, more and more people are actively sharing their activities on social media and putting their experiences into words to turn them into learning opportunities.
In other words, this likely means that people have had ”more opportunities to learn about” civil engineers who are making their mark as individuals.
From the God of Construction
