The joint venture – called ETM-UK – is based at Chertsey, Surrey. It is the creation of Prospect, the union for professionals in the UK, and APESMA, its Australian equivalent.

High demand and shortfalls of engineers in sectors such as rail, road, mining, defence materials and electricity triggered the idea for the new company, said Paul Noon, General Secretary of Prospect. "Designed and structured as a commercial recruitment consultancy, ETM-UK will have access to more than 500,000 professionals via its memberships and affiliations.

"It will give members in both countries the chance to make a new life in a new country, utilising the skills they already possess."

John Vines, General Secretary of APESMA, said: "The expertise resident in the UK is much sought after by Australian companies and government bodies.

"From inquiries we have received, we know there are many engineers in both the UK and Australia who would happily work out of the other country. We hope to create a pipeline for young professionals and if it works out we shall expand ETM-UK into mainland Europe."

ETM was founded by APESMA and has operated successfully as a job placement company in Australia for a number of years. Geoff De Lacy, one of ETM’s senior directors, will manage the UK operation from Chertsey, also working out of Prospect headquarters in Waterloo, London.

As a registered UK company with a joint board, ETM-UK has the capacity to offer a highly professional service to industry and government. It will have a significant commercial advantage because of its member base, affiliations throughout Europe and cost base.