Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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953. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how his Department has measured the success and scope for improvement following the 'Building Heroes' campaign. [34392/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Building Heroes campaign is designed to encourage new entrants to the construction sector by changing the perception of the sector from the narrow lens of 'on-site' to the opportunities that exist through MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) and other advances; and to address the stereotype that the sector is inappropriate for women.

In 2024 the campaign comprised 12 young adults from different disciplines documenting their “day-in-the-life" working and training across social media over six months.

The success of the 'Building Heroes' campaign was measured in terms of social media/digital metrics and extrapolating the impact the campaign is having in real life.

In 2024, Building Heroes created over 100 videos with more than seven million impressions across all channels. 53% of followers on Facebook and Instagram are female.

Additional impact is demonstrated through a 10% increase in construction apprenticeship registrations between year-end 2023 and year-end 2024, and first choice preferences in CAO applications for courses in architecture, construction and engineering rising by 22% this year (versus an increase in total CAO applications of 8.5%).

The campaign is continuing in 2025 and includes new Heroes with an increased focus on MMC and on women in construction.