Recent data from Indeed has listed Engineering and Construction as the  Hardest-to-Fill Jobs.

Engineering

The demand for skilled professionals in various engineering disciplines far surpasses the available talent pool. From instrumentation engineers to resident engineers and design engineers, the struggle to find qualified candidates is evident. Instrumentation engineers, in particular, claim the top spot, with nearly 63% of advertised roles remaining unfilled for over 60 days.

Construction 

The shortage of construction workers in Ireland has been well-documented, contributing to the difficulty in filling roles such as mechanical and electrical project managers, civil supervisors, and technicians. Even ecologists, tasked with assessing the environmental impact of construction projects, find themselves in the mix of hard-to-fill positions.

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Construction Jobs Expo 2024

The latest findings from the BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reveal a subdued end to 2023 for the construction industry, with December marking the sixth consecutive month of declining activity. The PMI recorded a figure of 45.1, a marginal improvement from November's 44.5 but still well below the critical 50 mark, indicating a contraction in activity.

Commercial Sector Hit Hard: The commercial sector experienced the most significant decline, with a PMI reading of 42.8. This plunge in commercial activity is noted as the weakest in a decade, excluding the impacts of COVID lockdowns and the downturn in August last year. John McCartney, Director and Head of Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland, attributed the downturn in commercial values to higher interest rates and soft demand in certain sectors, particularly offices.

Residential Activity and Hiring Trends: Housing activity, though still declining with a PMI of 45, showed a less steep contraction compared to November. Employment in the construction sector rebounded in December, marking a return to growth after falling for the first time in 11 months in November. McCartney indicated that the hiring of additional staff reflected confidence in the industry's outlook for 2024.

Business Sentiment and Future Outlook: Despite the overall weakness, the report revealed a positive turn in business sentiment, reaching a seven-month high. Respondents expressed hopes of securing new projects in 2024, with over 34% predicting a rise in activity over the next 12 months, compared to 15% who held a pessimistic view.

Input Costs and Margins: December saw a sharp increase in input costs due to higher charges by suppliers. While inflation rates eased compared to November, they remained below the 2023 average. McCartney emphasized that rising input costs, coupled with a decline in commercial activity, have squeezed development margins, impeding the initiation of new projects.

Positive Outlook for Residential Sector: Despite the challenges, McCartney highlighted an encouraging 18% rise in housing starts between January and November, signaling a positive outlook for the residential sector. This surge in residential activity suggests resilience and potential growth opportunities within the housing segment of the construction industry.

As the construction sector navigates challenges and seeks recovery, industry experts anticipate a nuanced trajectory in 2024, driven by various factors, including economic conditions, interest rates, and the evolution of demand patterns across different segments of the construction market.

The Construction Industry Federation has said that a clear pipeline of work is vital to support investment in resources needed to deliver critical infrastructure, but that the industry is well-positioned to respond to the ambitions of the National Development Plan.

Hubert Fitzpatrick, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation said:

“A clear pipeline of projects will enable the industry to invest and procure the resources that are required to deliver on the infrastructure outlined in the National Development Plan. The Government’s commitment to investing in the NDP is critical for providing this certainty to support investment and growth in the sector.

“Ireland’s population now stands at 5.2 million. This presents a challenge, but we also have a prime opportunity to harness this growth. We critically need a built environment including roads, transport systems, schools, hospitals and utilities. If we don’t provide this infrastructure, our critical housing and climate commitment targets will be delayed. The report recognises the need for increased housing targets, which we welcome.

“The industry is confident in its ability to recruit enough workers to deliver national construction projects within the current employment context. In 2019 there were 145,600 employed in the construction sector, growing to 167,400 by Quarter 3 2023. The industry labour force grew by almost 22,000 despite difficult years, which included Covid.

“Apprenticeship numbers are strong with 6,500 new apprentices registered in 2023 and there are over 23,000 apprentices currently in training. We welcome the Government’s investment in the National Careers in Construction Action Plan and the initiatives taking place across bodies such as the National Construction Training Centre, Solas and the National Apprenticeship Office.

“While there is a need for labour, the volume needed is not insurmountable and the industry is responding collaboratively. The importance of a clear pipeline of work to attract employees and give them confidence that they can build a future in construction is crucial.”

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A Career in Construction

The TUS Engineering Open Day will take place on Saturday 13^th January from 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Moylish campus, Limerick city.

Visitors to the Engineering Day can meet lecturers and students from our various engineering disciplines, avail of information talks about our engineering courses and associated careers in engineering. There will also be an opportunity to meet industry employers from the midwest region to learn more about the varied careers in engineering. For anyone interested in studying engineering, but unsure of which engineering discipline may be right for them (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, etc), this event is an ideal opportunity to learn more about Engineering at TUS Moylish campus.

Book your place now at TUS Engineering Open Day - TUS

We are very excited to have JMG Solutions exhibit at our upcoming Construction Jobs Expo. Their team will be available to chat and take CVs from 10am until 4pm in the RDS' Serpentine Hall on May 18th. You can register for FREE ADMISSION to this careers fair right here.

About JMG Solutions

Since its founding in 2012, JMG Solutions Ltd. have been providing specialty health and safety, training, consultancy, and recruitment services to the greater community. With offices in both the UK and Ireland, JMG Solutions offers a variety of services across different industries, clients, and locations.

The JMG Promise

Their team is specialised in Safety, Quality, Environmental, ISO Consultancy, and Recruitment, and it is their aim to provide the highest quality services on the market. Their team of experts go above and beyond to provide expertise, guidance, and solutions to clients, candidates, and consumers.

Services

The services they provide can be divided into several sections, they provide Safety, Quality, and Environmental Consultancy to their clients across Ireland, the UK, and Europe. They also provide a range of ISO Consultancy services to a global network of clients. Additionally, as a recruitment agency they specialise in placing candidates in both permanent and contract roles for their clients. Finally, they also provide online training solutions for Health and Safety, Business Skills, and Health and Social Care.

Why JMG Solutions?

What began as a small Irish business in 2012, has grown into a multifaceted, diverse company, that provides quality services within different industries across Europe. At JMG Solutions, they work with candidates and clients to ensure that their goals are met and exceeded. The team at JMG solutions is professional, experienced, and specialised in what they do.

The Lean Construction Ireland Webinar: Last Planner System presented by Maria Ryan - Managing Director and Lean Consultant - Crystal Lean Solutions takes place on 25/01/2024 at 15:00 GMT

The Last Planner System (LPS) is a production planning and control system designed for the construction industry. It is a collaborative approach that aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of construction project delivery by involving all stakeholders in the planning and execution processes.

The Last Planner System (LPS) is a production planning and control system designed for the construction industry. It is a collaborative approach that aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of construction project delivery by involving all stakeholders in the planning and execution processes. The Last Planner System was developed by Glenn Ballard and Greg Howell and draws on principles of lean construction and project management.

Last Planner System

1. Collaborative Planning:
   • The Last Planner System emphasizes collaboration among various project stakeholders, including owners, architects, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. It encourages open communication and the sharing of information to improve overall project understanding.
2. Pull Planning:
   • Unlike traditional "push" planning methods where schedules are imposed from the top down, the Last Planner System adopts a "pull" approach. It involves those closest to the work in the planning process, allowing them to pull work as they are ready, based on realistic and achievable commitments.
3. Phase Planning:
   • The planning process is organized into different phases, with each phase focusing on a specific aspect of the project. This includes milestone planning, phase pull planning, weekly work planning, and daily huddle sessions.
4. Milestone Planning:
   • Milestone planning involves identifying critical project milestones and establishing target dates for their completion. This provides a clear timeline for the project and helps in tracking progress.
5. Phase Pull Planning:
   • In this phase, the project team collaboratively plans the work that needs to be completed in the upcoming weeks or months. The focus is on creating reliable commitments and identifying potential constraints that may impact the schedule.
6. Weekly Work Planning:
   • Weekly work planning involves breaking down the phase plans into more detailed weekly plans. Teams discuss and commit to the work that can realistically be accomplished in the coming week.
7. Daily Huddle Sessions:
   • Daily huddle sessions are short, focused meetings where team members discuss progress, address any issues or obstacles, and make adjustments to the plan if necessary. These sessions promote real-time communication and problem-solving.
8. Learning and Continuous Improvement:
   • The Last Planner System encourages a culture of continuous improvement. Teams regularly review their performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes in subsequent planning cycles.
9. Visual Management:
   • Visual management tools, such as big visible boards, are often used in conjunction with the Last Planner System. These tools make it easy for teams to visualize the project schedule, identify dependencies, and track progress.

By involving the entire project team in the planning and execution processes, the Last Planner System aims to enhance collaboration, increase reliability in project delivery, reduce delays, and improve overall project performance in the construction industry.

This Construction Sector Guide to Defective Concrete Block Scheme is a Trade-Only Event for Building Contractors & Trades, Developers, Architects, Engineers & Manufacturers - taking place on Fri, 19 Jan 2024 07:00 - 09:30 at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel.

Construction Sector Guide to Defective Concrete Block Scheme

• Step-by-step process/guidelines
• Stage payments & drawdowns
• Administrative procedures

Register here

Construction Jobs Expo - Saturday, 18th May, 2024

Over recent decades, timber has emerged as an increasingly popular construction material, as engineers discover new ways to exploit its versatility, strength and visual appeal to build larger wooden structures. But beyond the aesthetic or engineering factors, timber brings a range of environmental, economic and performance-related benefits that support its use as a sustainable and practical building material poised for substantial growth.

Sustainability

From a sustainability perspective, wood holds clear advantages over other construction mainstays like concrete or steel. As trees grow, they naturally absorb large volumes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, effectively storing the carbon within their wood fiber throughout their lifecycle. Harvesting this timber for building materials maintains the stored carbon within structures for decades rather than allowing decomposition and release back into the atmosphere. The production process for sawn timber or engineered wood also requires far less energy than many traditional building materials, further minimizing ecological impact. Additionally, timber can be reused, resold or recycled after demolition rather than ending up in landfills, with no toxic residues. These combined sustainability effects make timber construction a powerful tool for developers and governments looking to reduce infrastructure-related carbon footprints.

Economic advantages

Using timber framing and mass timber panel solutions also confers meaningful economic advantages, from lower costs to quicker turnaround times. As advanced computer modeling and industrial fabrication methods evolve, builders can pre-cut and assemble entire wooden structural components offsite for rapid on-site erection. This minimizes expensive on-location construction delays from weather or labor factors. Timber-based designs also utilize light yet robust materials at reasonable prices, while panelized construction reduces specialized equipment, temporary supports and additional finishing steps like plastering. Governments acknowledge timber construction’s merits through supportive policies and incentives aimed at local forestry industry development in countries like Canada which heavily subsidize use of domestic timber. The compound results often lead to lower capital outlays and shorter times to occupancy for developers.

Expanding performance capabilities

Finally, as structural engineering and composite wood products continue maturing, timber demonstrates expanding performance capabilities from the small scale to ambitious large projects once deemed impossible without concrete or steel bones. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, for instance, offer strength, stability and design flexibility rivaling incumbent options. Treated glulam beams now allow long open spans and towering height potentials unviable just years ago. Timber’s solid compressive abilities together with light weight additionally lend themselves well to seismic resilience. Studies also highlight inherent natural insulating properties from using exposed wood over steel, meaning less operational energy wasted on extreme climate conditioning for occupant comfort. Even acoustically, wood demonstrates merits over other hard surfaces, absorbing rather than amplifying noise. And the biophilic visual warmth of wood interiors has quantifiable mental health benefits for inhabitants.

Timber delivers on multiple fronts as an ecologically-sound, practical and adaptable building solution befitting the sustainability priorities of the 21st century construction landscape. Its marked advantages now underpin growing mainstream adoption globally both for modest and towering structures. With expanded investments in advanced mass timber products and widening governmental backing, the material looks well-positioned as go-to renewable construction substrate for years to come.