We are delighted to announce that the Construction Jobs Expo is returning to Dublin in Spring 2024!
Construction Jobs Expo is returning to Dublin in Spring 2024!
This careers fair will take place on Saturday, 18th May (10am-4pm) at the RDS. This careers fair will be dedicated to the construction sector and will feature hundreds of active job opportunities . Construction Jobs Expo is the only careers exhibition of its type to feature FREE ADMISSION.
What can you expect at Construction Jobs Expo ?
- Employers actively recruiting for hundreds of jobs at home and abroad
- Specialised areas dedicated to jobs in the construction and engineering sectors.
- Start your own business experts offering advice and support networks
- A packed seminar timetable on important and topical issues by a range of industry experts
Agenda Stage
Construction Jobs Expo's Agenda Stage will host talks on a variety of topics including jobseeking skills such as using social media to land your dream job and interview techniques as well as a CV writing workshop. Other seminars include talks by industry insiders on a variety of career topics.
Discover great Construction course opportunities in Ireland.
Looking to pursue a career in the construction industry? Browse through our diverse range of courses below. Whether you're eager to become an Engineer, Estimator or Electrician, there's plenty of study options for the sector on Courses.ie.
Newcivilengineer.com is reporting that a transformative €35 billion railway infrastructure renewal program has been proposed in a joint report by the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, marking the first major cooperation between the two nations on rail development.
Drafted by engineering firm Arup on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Department of Transport in the Republic, the All-Island Rail Review outlines recommendations to revolutionize connectivity and transport sustainability across the island.
The comprehensive 30-point strategy identifies upgrades to address gaps in the current railway network's coverage, speed, and service frequency compared to European standards. Recommendations include dual-tracking intercity routes, restoring discontinued lines, building new spur lines to connect airports, extending the network to unincorporated areas, and long-term electrification.
To better integrate North and South, the plan calls for faster Dublin-Belfast trips and restoration of the Derry-Portadown line to link major Northern cities. Improved Western corridor service and new connections to places like Letterkenny and Rosslare are advised in the Republic.
Per the report, full implementation could take up to 25 years and cost between €35-36.8 billion, with the Republic contributing approximately 75% of capital. Consultations will continue until late September before finalization.
Proposed €35 Billion Rail Modernization Plan Unveiled for Ireland
The sweeping proposals aim to provide expanded transport access, stimulate economic growth, and support emissions reduction targets across the island.
If approved, the initiative could generate substantial engineering and construction jobs over decades of planned upgrades and expansions. Industry professionals will be monitoring developments closely as this historic cooperative rail vision takes shape.
Discover great Construction course opportunities in Ireland.
Looking to pursue a career in the construction industry? Browse through our diverse range of courses below. Whether you're eager to become an Engineer, Estimator or Electrician, there's plenty of study options for the sector on Courses.ie.
Irish water and wastewater infrastructure company Glanua has announced plans to create 250 new jobs over the next five years. The company, formerly known as BHSL, is currently recruiting to fill 100 open roles in its environmental and engineering departments.
Glanua aims to boost its workforce from 320 to over 500 employees by 2028. The new hires will primarily be engineers, project managers, and surveyors based out of the company's new headquarters in Loughrea, County Galway. Some positions will also support Glanua's operations in the UK.
Glanua Create 250 Jobs
The jobs announcement comes as Glanua rebrands and restructures, moving its head office from Limerick to Loughrea. The shift follows a period of rapid expansion for the firm. In 2022, Glanua saw total revenues of €97 million. For 2023, they expect revenues to leap to €150 million.
Glanua CEO Éamonn McCoy said the company's growth plan will enable them to take on more large-scale water infrastructure projects across Ireland and Britain. "We are delighted to be creating high-quality engineering and sustainability jobs, particularly in rural areas," McCoy stated.
With transformative investments planned for water and wastewater systems nationwide, Glanua's expansion comes at an opportune time. The company is poised to play a lead role improving and expanding Ireland's water infrastructure over the next decade. Their job creation will also provide a boost to the Midlands economy.
Discover great Construction course opportunities in Ireland.
Looking to pursue a career in the construction industry? Browse through our diverse range of courses below. Whether you're eager to become an Engineer, Estimator or Electrician, there's plenty of study options for the sector on Courses.ie.
RTE has reported that the number of new homes that commenced construction in June was 16% down compared to the previous month. However, on a positive note, when compared to June of the previous year, the number of commencement notices lodged for residential properties rose by 25%.
In June, construction work began on a total of 2,574 new homes across the country, a decrease from May's figure of 3,059, but a notable improvement from the 2,060 commencements recorded in the same month last year.
Year-to-date data shows a promising trend, with a record 15,561 commencements so far this year, marking a substantial 10% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This upswing highlights the continued growth in the residential construction sector and reflects the highest numbers seen since data collection began in 2015.
Delving into regional specifics, the Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown area in Dublin registered the highest number of residential construction starts in June, with 298 new developments commenced. However, Dublin City takes the lead when considering the cumulative commencements so far this year, recording a substantial 2,767 construction starts.
Notably, a significant portion of the total commencements this year, standing at 6,324, has been concentrated in the areas of the four Dublin local authorities. Additionally, 9,166 commencements have been lodged for developments within the greater Dublin area, encompassing all the Dublin local authorities and the mid-east region.
Out of the June total, 466 commencements were attributed to one-off units, contributing to a total of 2,297 one-off units for the year-to-date.
While June saw a slight dip in new home commencements compared to the previous month, the overall year-to-date performance indicates a positive trajectory for the construction industry. As the demand for housing continues to grow, these figures demonstrate a resilient and dynamic sector, underlining the potential for further developments in the months ahead.
Discover great Construction course opportunities in Ireland.
Looking to pursue a career in the construction industry? Browse through our diverse range of courses below. Whether you're eager to become an Engineer, Estimator or Electrician, there's plenty of study options for the sector on Courses.ie.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett has announced a call for expressions of interest to participate in a new Timber in Construction Working Group. The group will be tasked with examining conditions to increase the use of timber in construction, assessing regulatory and standardisation challenges to greater use of timber in construction, and maximising the use of home-grown timber. The group will bring together a range of industry expertise and relevant Government Departments and Agencies, with an independent Chair. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine will provide the secretariat to the group and a Chair will be appointed once the group’s membership has been finalised.
Timber in Construction Working Group
“I am delighted to announce this call for expressions of interest from representative bodies, Universities and industry experts. We want to hear from professionals who have the knowledge and expertise to work together with relevant Government Departments and State agencies to examine how we can increase the use of timber in the Irish construction sector. Right across Europe we are seeing increased use of timber as a reliable, sustainable material in the construction of large-scale buildings. The use of engineered wood such as cross laminated timber is facilitating new methods of construction, and we need to explore opportunities to embrace this shift here in Ireland. We are establishing the Timber in Construction Working Group because we believe that the best way to unlock the potential for much greater use of timber in construction in Ireland is through industry experts collaborating with Government Departments and State agencies to assess where the barriers are, and how they can be overcome.”
The use of timber in construction and the built environment will play an important role in meeting our climate targets. Wood locks up carbon in buildings and reduces our reliance on materials made from non-renewable resources.
The working group will bring together key Government Departments who have important roles in developing the forest resource, the built environment, including innovation and market development. Key to the success of the group will be the input from industry and experts in construction.
Minister Ryan T.D., said,
“I welcome the proposed Timber in Construction Working Group and my Department will engage with work that supports increased use of timber in construction. The role that products such as cross-laminated timber may play, as an alternative to ¬intensive products such as concrete and steel, should be investigated thoroughly. Increasing the availability of alternative construction materials, while responding to pressing construction needs, is an important part of the measures needed for meeting our climate targets.”
Minister Darragh O Brien T.D., stated
“I am very pleased to see the establishment of this working group to promote the use of Timber in Construction. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) are a key measure to support the delivery of housing under Housing for All. Government has worked together to put in place a number of important initiatives in the areas of research, demonstration and social housing delivery to support the development of Modern Methods of Construction . The use of timber in construction is an important Modern Method of Construction and helps to improve the delivery of new housing whilst at the same time increasing the sustainability of materials used. My Department will actively participate in this group and I look forward to its outcomes which will support Housing for All and Climate Action targets.”
The Minister of State Hackett made the announcement today while visiting a team of researchers at the University of Galway who have been at the cutting edge of timber research over many years. Minister Hackett stated,
“I am delighted to be here in the University of Galway today to see first-hand the excellent work that my Department has funded over many years in timber research. The research that the University carries out supports the use and development of Irish timber and timber standards from our home-grown resource. My ultimate vision for that home-grown timber is that it will be used at scale to build the homes, schools and offices of the future here in Ireland.”.
Professor Annette Harte from Galway University stated together with Dr Patrick McGetrick,
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to host the Minister today and demonstrate the excellent work that is currently taking place in timber research in Ireland. We welcome the establishment of the new Timber Group in Construction and will be delighted assist in its work”.
The Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage, together with The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, have developed a short introductory guide to Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
The intent of the MMC introductory guide is to provide information about MMC for the non-technical reader/general public. It has been awarded the Plain English Mark from the National Adult Literary Agency. It is also intended to enhance consistency of MMC terminology used across the public sector, and in turn increase awareness of the range of MMC solutions available in the market. It includes a description of MMC types, such as panelised timber frame and steel systems and volumetric systems and innovative construction methods used on site such as insulated concrete formwork. The guide is supported by illustrations of the various MMC building systems in situ.
Modern Methods of Construction Introductory Guide
Modern Methods of Construction Introductory Guide
Discover great Construction course opportunities in Ireland.
Looking to pursue a career in the construction industry? Browse through our diverse range of courses below. Whether you're eager to become an Engineer, Estimator or Electrician, there's plenty of study options for the sector on Courses.ie.
The latest survey by BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland has found that Housing output remained slow in June while the construction sector as a whole recorded an increase in activity for the first time this year.
According to the report, resilient demand helped the Irish construction sector out of its recent soft patch as we reached the mid-point of 2023. New orders and employment continued to expand in June, and did so at their fastest rate since March. Meanwhile, inflationary pressures in the sector continued to cool, with the weakest rise in input costs since August 2020.
Irish construction companies expanded their workforce numbers for the sixth straight month to accommodate increasing activity levels and new order growth. The rate of employment growth was the most pronounced since March, albeit only modest overall.
Within the overall context of increased activity, growth trends across the monitored sectors of construction were somewhat uneven; Commercial activity drove the overall uplift, while housing activity edged lower, albeit at its softest pace since October 2022. In addition, firms marginally reduced their input purchases for the first time since January, with some quoting sufficient stock holdings and concerns around the potential for a market slowdown.
Reduced demand for inputs served to lower cost pressures during June. While still increasing strongly, input prices rose at one of the slowest rates in the current 38-month inflationary sequence. In contrast, however, supply chain delays continued, and were slightly worse than in May.
Irish building companies remain broadly optimistic and foresee increased activity levels over the coming year. Growth prospects centre around general hopes for a boost in demand. That said, the confidence index remained below its long-term average, and at its joint-weakest in the year so far, with firms still concerned about the inflationary environment.
Commenting on the latest survey results, John McCartney, Director & Head of Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland, said:
“Construction activity rose in June for the first time since last September. However, this has been coming for a while, with building firms consistently reporting increased new orders and staffing levels since the start of this year.
“The pick-up reflects two factors; Firstly, cost pressures have retreated to their lowest level for 35 months. Secondly, population growth, the strong economy, Government supports and increased demand for green buildings continue to underpin the value of newly constructed properties – particularly new homes and warehouses.
“Residential activity edged lower for the ninth successive month, but the rate of contraction continues to diminish. Viability remains challenging, particularly for apartments. However, new homes inflation of 11.1 percent per annum (compared with 3.5 percent for second-hand dwellings) is helping to offset the impact of rising costs, and we expect 30,000 completions this year.”
CIF Southern Construct Summit Agenda
Retrofitting Ireland: Building resilience in Irish homes is an event taking place on Friday, July 28 · 10am - 12:15pm at University of Limerick, hosted by Seán Kelly MEP and partnered with Allied Irish Bank (AIB).
Retrofitting Ireland: Building resilience in Irish homes
Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of EU energy consumption and 36% of the energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. In Europe today, 75% of buildings are not energy efficient, mostly as many of them were constructed before the current requirements were in place. About 85%-95% of today’s buildings will still be in use by 2050.
Ireland currently has around 1.7 million occupied homes. Housing a population of over five million, these homes consume about a quarter of the energy used in Ireland, as well as being responsible for 29% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Irish homes account for more emissions than the industrial sector. The average floor area of Irish homes is larger than in other EU member states and the emissions attributable to our homes in Ireland are about 58% more than the average EU home.
In addition, the construction industry in Ireland is expected to grow by 7.8% to reach EUR 23,179 million in 2022. Despite near-term challenges in certain construction sectors, medium to long-term growth story in Ireland remains intact. The construction industry in Ireland is expected to grow steadily over the next four quarters.
Some 57% of homeowners are planning to undertake renovations in their homes this year, spending on average €6,805 on the planned works. While the majority of those planning renovations intend spending less than €10,000, 12% of surveyed respondents planned more extensive works, allocating a spend of between €20,000 and €50,000, with 2% of respondents saying they intend to spend more than €50,000
Overall, there is a strong potential for sustainable home renovations in Ireland due to the relatively carbon intensive housing stock, strong government climate and energy goals and support for renovation, and many single-family dwellings facilitating easier decision-making.
Ireland has a strong decarbonisation target for the residential sector, with the ambition to retrofit almost 30% of the residential housing stock (500.000 homes) and install over 400.000 heat pumps.
To achieve this the Irish government has set up grant schemes supporting sustainable home renovation, including support for community schemes, and proposed a five billion euro fund focused on renovating social housing and homes of low-income households.
The event seeks to bring together elected representatives, Irish/EU policy experts, industry experts and citizens.
The format will consist of opening address and one panel, which will focus on both the practical challenges for Irish consumers in renovating their homes and buildings and upcoming policy changes in the sector and their implications.
Construction Jobs Expo is a jobs and recruitment event for the construction and engineering sectors.
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Glenveagh Properties, who sponsored the recent Construction Expo at the RDS, has created 200 new jobs in Co Carlow thanks to a new manufacturing site, as reported by Newstalk.
The opening of NUA Manufacturing in Rathnapish, Co Carlow is a timber frame and steel frame manufacturing facility.
According to Glenveagh Properties, the new facility will increase its overall delivery capability and accelerate the supply of new homes.
Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien who visited the new facility, said:
“The old Braun factory was laying vacant for at least 10 years, so it's great to actually see existing buildings like that being used as a big investment,” he said.
“The state-of-the-art modern methods of construction, offsite construction of homes, will create 200 jobs and obviously assist us in continuing to ramp up the delivery of housing across the country.
“Last year, there was a very significant increase in 30,000 new homes. We will exceed that this year, as well delivering more social and affordable homes than in decades.”
“It's a fantastic facility and production is starting there of really top-quality homes built at the highest of specification.”
A Career in Construction