A sum of €750,000 has been designated to support the implementation of the newly released Careers in Construction report. This includes a peer-to-peer social media campaign to dispel myths surrounding careers in construction and a campaign to advise skilled construction workers abroad of the opportunities in Ireland and the pipeline of work in construction.
Minister Harris said: "It is essential we continue to support people entering the sector. This is vital to meeting our Housing for All targets and to ensure we address the most significant challenge our generation is facing. There are a number of misconceptions about a career in construction. There are fears construction is a boom and bust career, or that it is for a certain gender, or a certain stage in their career.
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"This funding will seek to dispel some of those myths. It is designed to ensure that people considering construction or upskilling from their current role in the sector know the investment the State is making in this overall area over the next decade, and also that we are changing how we deliver housing and large infrastructural projects through Modern Methods of Construction.
"We also know Irish construction workers are in high demand. Many left Ireland during the economic crash and have not returned and are now working on sites across the world. A part of this funding will be used to engage with construction workers abroad to assess the motivations for moving abroad and establish any barriers to coming home. We know many are living in the United Kingdom. Today, I will meet a small number of them to discuss the opportunities that Ireland can offer to people seeking a meaningful career in this area."
The Department is considering structural adjustments to ensure early awareness and education about construction careers, including apprenticeships. This involves close collaboration with the Department of Education, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and professional organisations.
New resources relating to Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are also being developed through Skillnet Ireland, which will highlight the new opportunities in this growing area.
