Demand for Project Managers? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Mason54 · 08-21-2008, 06:38 PM

Hello, I wanted to ask those of you in the commercial sector if you feel that there is a demand for Project Managers (ignoring the current slump) now or in the near future? If so in what sectors have you noticed the shortage?

I noticed that the many universities have tripled the size of enrollments in their construction management programs in the last couple of years. Just wondering if others still see a shortage for project managers or are we heading for a surplus or do we already have one.

Thanks

Jake Stevens · 08-22-2008, 08:00 AM

Even in slow times I tell people there's always room for replacements. I good Project Manager not only pays for himself he should be making you money. If not as I said there's always room for replacements.

Snyder · 08-23-2008, 10:01 PM

Several larger commercial contractors in the Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota areas went along hiring project managers as business kept growing up until 2 years ago.

Business seems to plateaued, especially since corporations have tightened their purse strings. Result, project managers aren't being fired, but they aren't being hired at the same rate.

grizl · 10-04-2008, 07:48 PM

There is a demand for project managers and there will be even more demand in the future.

**AtlanticWBConst** · 10-04-2008, 09:46 PM

Work still going on:

State projects
City projects
Town projects
Certain Commerical projects
Hotel developments
Luxury Apt. complexes
Expansions
State/City Remodeling & upgrading
Historical remodeling & upgrading
Supermarket builds
Hospital and health
Colleges campuses
Etc, etc, etc

There are many, many projects still going forward in certain sectors. All need project managers to function...

TMG1 · 10-12-2008, 10:37 AM

All around the US, work has slowed considerably.

Many projects scheduled and ongoing are being delayed (indefinately) or canceled all together, primarily due to financing issues.

Many GC / CM companies overhired over the last couple of years, thinking that the good times would never end, but we all know what happened.

Being a PM is a hard enough job, but add to that the economic uncertainties, and I would be changing my major at this time.

denns · 10-14-2008, 01:11 AM

There will always be a demand for "Good" project managers. I believe that a project manager should have some field experience too though. I see too many right out of school who Think they know what they are talking about.

TracyMC · 10-17-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denns

There will always be a demand for "Good" project managers. I believe that a project manager should have some field experience too though. I see too many right out of school who Think they know what they are talking about.

You are dead on with the field experience issue, I believe it should be mandatory, out of college, 6 months @ least to just get the feel of it. Thats how I did it.

Pizzenterprises · 04-13-2009, 05:08 PM

I've been in the field for over 12 yrs and I'll have my assoc in civil eng. in 2 more qtrs then my Bach in CM in 2 more years. My firend went st into PROJ MNGMNT from school and was absolutley lost, he said I would do better with exp only.