More encouraging news greeted the construction industry at the beginning of May, which may provide a boost to building, engineering and quantity surveying jobs in the industry. For the second month in a row construction activity had risen according to a survey produced by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).

The news provides some hope that the lowest ebb has passed for the industry and after two years of decline things are picking up. The housing market in particular showed some strong growth but commercial builds and civil engineering also increased during the previous month.

David Noble, chief executive officer of CIPS said: ?Though the industry is moving in the right direction, we mustn't be lulled into complacency as growth is coming from a very low base and operating conditions are still very difficult.? However, Noble did add that the news was encouraging, which will bring a smile for those looking for construction, engineering and quantity surveying jobs.

The hope for everyone in the industry will be that this growth pattern can be sustained for a long time in order to secure businesses and jobs. The onus may well be on the private sector to provide this sustained growth given the uncertainty about spending in the public sector.

Hopefully the UK can buck the trend of other European countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain and reduce the budget deficit without impacting jobs. Continued growth in the construction industry should see more opportunities arising and an increase in new building and quantity surveying jobs amongst others.