Aussie downturn?

[gregariz]

I've been thinking of making a move home to Aus in the next 12 months.. and was reading this article over the weekend;

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-09/engineering-industry-undergoing-brain-drain-as-infrastructure-pr/4741046

Any thoughts on how well the Aus electronics industry is doing at the moment and in the next few years?

[digsys]

Having run a business in R+D for the past 40+ yrs, I can definitely vouch for a slow gradual downturn. It's the flow-on effect that
does the most "damage". But it's like anything, IF you "know" people, you'll always have work. On the plus side, people do adapt,
and new types of Electronics do spring up, albeit not high volume labour. And in some areas, you can't FIND damn workers !!
I know a few companies that can't find the "right" people. Electronics does suffer more than most though, due to the specialised skills.
Are you leaving because it's "bad" where you are?

[gregariz]

Are you leaving because it's "bad" where you are?

Its not terribly bad... I could hang on for a few more years. We've probably seen work dry up a bit though I would think in the last 3 years especially. It's more of a family thing... kids growing up. I'm concerned though.

[c4757p]

It's more of a family thing... kids growing up.

I'm not sure I understand. What does Australia have to do with kids growing up?

[David_AVD]

Being able to diversify or change direction with technology is a must these days.

[Harvs]

It does vary a lot from state to state.  Do you have a particular specialty area that you're specifically looking to target?

As far as shear volume of jobs (and probably money), it's hard to beat WA's mining sector.  But that's probably more electrical/control systems rather than electronics as such.

[nctnico]

Are you leaving because it's "bad" where you are?

Its not terribly bad... I could hang on for a few more years. We've probably seen work dry up a bit though I would think in the last 3 years especially. It's more of a family thing... kids growing up. I'm concerned though.

A consultant in the US was complaining it was hard to fill EE positions. Moving within the US may be a better option. Even though people generally have white noses in Australia it doesn't mean there will be no (huge) cultural differences. I've been to NZ and found the people over there quite conservative.

[digsys]

  Moving within the US may be a better option. 

If you've already built up a contact base in USA, that would certainly apply. What type of work are you looking for?
And are you near "retirement" ? If so, it'll definitely be cheaper to live here, so you won't need to earn as much.

[David_AVD]

And are you near "retirement" ? If so, it'll definitely be cheaper to live here, so you won't need to earn as much.

I thought there were plenty of low cost-of-living places in the USA ?

[digsys]

  I thought there were plenty of low cost-of-living places in the USA ? 

Plenty of dirt cheap land/housing (depending on area of course). But you need to add power/heating/medical/legal/././..
Obamacare, even IF it ever got implemented intact, is nowhere near as comprehensive as OZ, Canada, NZ, UK etc
I tried living there once, what a nightmare. Many Aussies have no idea how easy life is here. Just human nature to bitch and whine :-)

[EEVblog]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-09/engineering-industry-undergoing-brain-drain-as-infrastructure-pr/4741046

By "engineering" they mean mining.
The electronics industry is fine.

[EEVblog]

I'm not sure I understand. What does Australia have to do with kids growing up?

It's a much better place for your kids to grow up 

[gregariz]

It does vary a lot from state to state.  Do you have a particular specialty area that you're specifically looking to target?

I'm a bit too specialized in electronics.. RF/DSP..general bread and butter design. I trained before the mining boom hit. I think the best option is to try to take my job with me.. but if that doesn't work.. then I'll look for other options. I'd probably be interested in Sydney and surrounds, maybe Brisbane.

[gregariz]

I'm not sure I understand. What does Australia have to do with kids growing up?

It's a much better place for your kids to grow up 

Something like that.. near family etc. Working in the US has been enjoyable, eye opening etc etc but I'm coming up on 10 years here.. so I think its getting time to return or it may never happen.

Thinking a little out of the box... has anyone tried to get startup investment etc? in the NSW arena? Any decent government programs for startups?

[EEVblog]

Thinking a little out of the box... has anyone tried to get startup investment etc? in the NSW arena? Any decent government programs for startups?

Not that I'm aware of. A friend of mine had to get start up funding from Hong Kong.
There are a couple of start-up type groups on meetup.com

[Strada916]

Well here in WA. If mining takes a turn, then everyone else feels the knock on effects. As it turns out metal prices are down and more and more companies are letting people go and down sizing.