February Spotlight: Growing the BB Team

Welcome to the February edition of Blakely Brown Insights!

With the first month of 2025 behind us, we're hitting the ground running with exciting growth plans and key industry insights to help you navigate the evolving recruitment landscape.

This month, we’re expanding our team in Miami, strengthening our U.S. presence, and sharing market updates on hiring trends in engineering and construction. With hiring slowing in some sectors but demand for skilled professionals remaining high, it’s more important than ever to strategically attract and retain top talent.

We’re also sharing our top tips for writing job ads that stand out, ensuring you capture the right candidates in a competitive market.

Read on for the latest updates, industry insights, and expert advice to set your hiring strategy up for success!

Warm regards,

The Blakely Brown Team

Miami Hiring: Building Our U.S. Team

This week, we’re landing in Miami to meet with prospective hires for our Brickell office, taking another exciting step in growing our presence in the U.S. Our goal is to build a high-performing, ambitious, and dynamic team that will continue delivering top-tier recruitment services to our clients.

Beyond hiring, this trip is also a fantastic opportunity to deepen our understanding of the local talent market, strengthen relationships within the Miami business community, and, of course, enjoy a break from the cold UK winter!

We’re actively looking for driven individuals to join our team—whether you're a recent graduate or a recruitment professional looking for a fresh challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining Blakely Brown Miami, get in touch today; antonia@blakelybrowngroup.com

Engineering & Construction Hiring: A Tightening Market in 2025

The U.S. construction industry added just 4,000 jobs in January, continuing a trend of slowed hiring in the sector, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This follows a sharp drop from previous months, with construction employment rising by only 26,000 jobs in the last three months combined—compared to 25,000 in September alone.

Key Insights for the Engineering & Recruitment Industry

Residential Construction Weakness is Driving the Slowdown

• Hiring declines are largely due to the residential sector, which continues to feel the impact of high interest rates and a decrease in new housing developments.

• While nonresidential specialty trade contractors added 5,600 jobs, residential specialty trades lost 2,100 positions, highlighting the disparity between markets.

Labor Market Remains Tight Despite Slow Hiring

• Despite fewer job openings, finding skilled workers remains a major challenge for contractors.

• Nearly 80% of firms surveyed in the AGC of America/Sage 2025 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook report say they are struggling to find qualified candidates.

Worker Availability is a Growing Concern

• Labor shortages are being compounded by workers not showing up to job sites, with concerns over immigration enforcement cited as a key factor.

• AGC is calling for increased funding for construction education programs and expanded work authorization programs to help fill critical skill gaps.

Heavy & Civil Engineering Sector Saw Job Losses

• While nonresidential building contractors managed a small increase of 1,100 jobs, the heavy and civil engineering sector actually lost 2,300 positions—raising concerns about the availability of skilled infrastructure professionals.

What This Means for the Recruitment Industry

📌 More selective hiring: Companies are focusing on essential hires rather than aggressive expansion. Recruiters should target high-demand skill sets in nonresidential construction and infrastructure.

📌 Retention & workforce stability are key: Firms need to invest in training and upskilling to secure talent long-term. Recruiters can support clients by identifying experienced professionals who can mentor and develop new hires.

📌 Increased demand for work authorization solutions: With immigration enforcement impacting labor availability, recruiters should work with firms to explore alternative hiring strategies, including legal work programs and training initiatives.

📌 Nonresidential and infrastructure hiring opportunities remain: While residential hiring struggles, specialty contractors, infrastructure projects, and public works still present recruitment opportunities.

🔎 Looking for expert support in finding top engineering and construction professionals? Get in touch at antonia@blakelybrowngroup.com 🚀

Hiring in 2025? Here’s how to write a job ad that attracts top talent

Attracting top engineering talent starts with a well-crafted job post. Here are our five key tips to ensure your openings capture the right candidates:

1. Be clear and concise Avoid vague job titles and jargon. Use straightforward language to describe the role, responsibilities, and key qualifications. Clarity ensures the right candidates apply.

2. Highlight what sets you apart Why should someone join your company over the competition? Showcase your company culture, unique projects, career growth opportunities, and benefits to make your listing stand out.

3. Focus on must-have skills Rather than listing every possible requirement, prioritize the essential skills and experience needed for success in the role. Too many demands can discourage strong candidates from applying.

4. Use an engaging structure Break up text with bullet points for readability, and include a compelling introduction to grab attention. Candidates should be able to quickly scan and understand the opportunity.

5. Include a strong call to action Make it easy for candidates to take the next step—whether that’s applying online, reaching out to a recruiter, or scheduling an initial call. A clear CTA ensures you don’t lose top talent to uncertainty.

Need support in crafting job ads that attract the best engineering talent? Get in touch with our team at Blakely Brown 🤝