Careers in construction action plan is updated to meet growing housing, climate and infrastructure needs
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeships, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD, launched the Updated Careers In Construction Action Plan at the RIAI on Tuesday, 27 January.
The Updated Careers In Construction Action Plan is designed to support efforts to increase the number of people employed in the construction sector as part of the work of meeting targets under Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, the Climate Action Plan, and the National Development Plan.
The plan builds on the solid progress made to date of the original Careers in Construction Action Plan (launched in late 2023) and reflects new research, alignment with the Programme for Government, the growing use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), and expanded membership of the Working Group that oversees the implementation of the plans.
The updated plan introduces several new actions aimed at widening access to construction careers, including the development of a construction skills programme for prisoners, the provision of Safe Pass training with Ukrainian language interpretation, the use of EU public employment networks to increase labour supply, and exploration of employment opportunities for International Protection Applicants.
There are also commitments to expand the Skillnet MMC Accelerate platform; to ensure that skills developed by the onsite labour force can be transferred into offsite facilities; to develop new education pathways towards professional careers; and to use online and app-based delivery where appropriate.
Speaking at the event, Minister James Lawless TD said:
“Over the past two years we have seen encouraging uplifts in the construction workforce population and the numbers applying for apprenticeships, as well as positive trends towards greater female participation and increased interest from second-level students. This new plan helps us to to attract new entrants and converts to construction-related careers.
“This work is more than just about promoting and raising the profile of the sector to new entrants. This would mean very little if we didn’t also focus on removing barriers to entry to the industry for women and under-represented groups and developing new education and training pathways that incorporate modern methods of construction (MMC). This is why the number of actions in the updated plan has risen from 20 to 36, with many of the new actions focused on widening participation and on education and training initiatives.”
Minister of State Marian Harkin TD added:
"Construction must be seen for what it is: a modern, diverse and rewarding sector.
"We're challenging outdated perceptions and opening the door to new talent, especially women, young people, and under-represented groups. We are working with schools and other partners to source relevant modules aimed at transition year students, as well as an iVET construction taster course that is available to transition year students nationwide."
“We’re also piloting prison-based training and growing Modern Methods of Construction pathways because everyone should have a route into this sector."
The RIAI was delighted to host the event with Minister Lawless and Minister Harkin and members of the working group, made up of representatives from a wide range of cross-sectoral industry bodies, agencies, and Government departments. These include the Construction Industry Federation, Engineers Ireland, SCSI, IGBC, CIAT, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, SOLAS and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
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