Scott Wilson has been operating in Hong Kong since 1952 and has been in China for more than 20 years, where it positions itself as the British consultant most involved with China.

With a history of more than 80 years, it is one of Britain's top 10 consultants, providing integrated project management, planning and design services to clients in the transport, property, environmental and natural resources sectors.

The China division's chief executive, Peter Chan Chung-wah, said the Hong Kong and mainland-based staff would enjoy international exposure while accumulating local knowledge and experience to enhance their long-term competitive edge.

'For example, some international clients would commission us to source project contractors in China and supervise them on their behalf,' he said. 'On the other hand, we also have mainland clients seeking our advice and services to help them invest, co-ordinate and act as a link in overseas projects.'

As Scott Wilson continues to diversify its services to meet the varied demands of an expanding range of clients, its talent quest spans different engineering disciplines and professional specialties, including project management, architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture.

The openings span all levels, starting from graduate engineers to principal engineers. Fresh graduate applicants are required to have a good degree. They will undergo three years' training to help them qualify as a chartered engineer. The other positions require relevant qualifications and experience, and preferably international exposure and China experience.

'Above all, we are looking for flexible team players with the right attitude and genuine interest in growing with us in China and Hong Kong,' Mr Chan said.

The current recruitment targets, he added, would be kept under review to ensure adequate expertise to keep up with business growth.

'These are just initial and rather conservative estimates. We shall adjust our target if warranted further down the road,' he said.

According to Mr Chan, the China expansion plan is a long-term strategy arising from Scott Wilson's listing in London in March 2006. The group, he stressed, took a long-term view of manpower planning.

'We offer our staff a career, not just a job. The majority of our current vacancies are new openings created to support our long-term development in China,' he said.

Staff would also be able to exchange knowledge and expertise with colleagues from different countries, and had opportunities for overseas secondments.

'Scott Wilson has over 5,000 employees worldwide. It is very important that we employ people with the right cultural fit and attitude. We expect our staff to demonstrate our core values, namely professionalism, responsiveness, collaboration, diversification and ambition.

'We employ a person only if we believe he or she fits in with our culture and expectations. Where it differentiates a lot is a person's attitude, and it matters a great deal to us that our employees have the right attitude,' he said.

HEAD HUNT

About 200 of the new recruits will be based on the mainland, while the rest will join the Hong Kong office.

About 240 engineering and infrastructure project specialists are being hired for the China division.

The openings are long-term positions created to support Scott Wilson's long-term expansion in China.

There are opportunities for overseas assignments and secondments to other offices.