Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A key government priority is to ensure that we have world-leading skills in the economy to ensure a sustainable and equitable economy in the future.

The construction sector is no exception. We recognise the changes in the sector and the response needed to support innovation in construction, and the need for targeted, collaborative and industry- focused opportunities available across all levels of the tertiary education and training system.

And despite these challenging circumstances, there are growing numbers of people employed in the construction sector. The CSO labour force survey of Q3 2023 shows when compared with pre-covid levels of Q3 2019 the total employment in the sector has grown by 17,600.

The Department works with sectoral partners such as SOLAS, to increase skills supply through the current network of skills provision available across the tertiary education system in order to tackle climate and housing issues.

We are expanding the number of apprentices we train. There is a significant expansion of the education and training pipeline for construction-related courses. Development processes are in place for employers/sectors who wish to assess the potential for new apprenticeships. In recent years, annual intake in construction and construction-related apprenticeships has steadily increased. As of the end of December 2023, there have been 4946 registrations on construction programmes and 848 registrations on construction-related programmes. Overall that is a 3% increase of registrations on 2022’s figures. This year the construction and construction related apprentice population has surpassed 20,000 for the year, again an increase on 2022’s figures.

Increased funding for apprenticeships increases the total capacity of the apprenticeship system and will reduce the time that apprentices wait for training. Budget 2024 provides €67m (€57m in core funding and €10m temporary) which will provide core investment into the apprenticeship system.

The department is aware of that the labour market is challenging both domestically and internationally and is aiming to ensure provision in that context. The Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction & Retrofitting 2023–2030 outlined our labour market requirement at over 50,000 new entrants into the construction sector for that period to meet our housing and retrofitting targets and this Department has put reporting and monitoring arrangements in place to ensure we are providing the appropriate skills response.

In total there were 23 actions to be delivered on the report. The actions established the pathways to implement NZEB/retrofitting provision and training and begin the process of introducing MMC. In particular the recommendations and actions arising from the report allowed us to look at recruitment. With the Department of Social Protection (DSP) we have held 13 national events in the last quarter. Internationally over the last year we have held events in South Africa and the UK. We’ve also promoted Irish construction vacancies in Finland at their EURES event.

In August 2023, the Department published the Careers in Construction Action Plan. The 20 actions in the plan are aimed at minimising barriers to construction careers, promoting career opportunities and making construction jobs more attractive to women. This involves structural changes in the sector, training and upskilling, and promotional activity. To assist in the promotional goals of the Careers in Construction Action Plan, funding has been granted for a number of initiatives under the 2024 Housing for All Implementation Fund, including a peer-to-peer social media campaign to recruit young adults to the sector and a documentary on working in the sector.

In terms of innovation, the greater adoption of MMC would be expected to lessen the projected increased need in labour demand so it is imperative that we continue to invest in projects such as National Demonstration Park in Mount Lucas.

NZEB and retrofitting are significant part of the labour market requirements going forward and a good example of how industry, the department and agencies have worked together to maximise capacity. We have now established a national network of 6 Centres of Excellence in our ETBs to roll out the skills required to improve energy efficiency in the built environment. But we must ensure that skills provision in this area continues to keep pace with developments in technology and building regulations. To this end, my Department secured €200,000 in Budget 2024 to allow SOLAS to undertake work to update NZEB/Retrofit course curricula.

NZEB courses are free, fast and flexible with weekend and evening provision available. Courses are available both to beginners and those who already have relevant experience and knowledge. Course duration varies between 1 and 5 days, depending on the knowledge and skills required by the individual, and they are free and flexible for learners, with weekend and evening provision available. Online/ remote options are also available. In many cases, where a person has an existing construction-related qualification, knowledge or experience, they can learn these skills quickly, usually within three-four days.

With the Government’s commitment to Housing for All and the initiatives provided by the Department and partners there are clear pathways to careers in construction, which will help to increase capacity within the sector.