The Construction Futures initiative, a joint programme led by the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) and employee representatives Unite and GMB, has reported significant progress just over 12 months after its official launch in 2024.

The mission, born from the EY Industry Skills Review, set out to inform, attract, develop, and retain the people who will shape the built environment.

According to the group, this mission has moved "from concept to visible progress," with scaling programmes and growing digital engagement.

Facing ongoing skills shortages, Construction Futures prioritised high-impact digital outreach to dispel misconceptions and attract new talent. Drawing on the CEF's 2025 industry survey, social media campaigns spotlight key in-demand roles, including:

• Technical Posts: Contracts managers, quantity surveyors, site managers, health and safety officers, and estimators.

• Trade Careers: Bricklayers, ground workers, plasterers, and plumbers.

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These campaigns feature real people sharing their experiences and break down salary bands and progression paths. Since February 2025, Construction Futures has generated more than 2 million social media views, resulting in a clear rise in awareness among schools and employers.

Building on this, the upcoming Open Doors 2026 initiative (23–28 March) will use an enhanced online platform to reduce administration, allowing schools and companies to connect, book site visits, and share resources efficiently across Northern Ireland.

The report highlights a rapid digital shift in the sector, citing an Association for Project Management survey that shows 75 per cent of project professionals now use AI, up from 15 per cent two years ago. AI tools are being applied across resource allocation, risk forecasting, schedule automation, and safety assessments.

While AI and automation offer significant potential gains in efficiency and safety, the report stresses that the core of the industry remains human skill and creativity.

Northern Ireland's apprenticeship data reflects this dual focus. The Department for the Economy's ApprenticeshipsNI framework for 2024 shows an almost even split between trade and technical apprenticeships across all levels, with training organisations reporting record intakes for trade apprenticeships in the current academic year.

However, a major hurdle remains: securing a long-term pipeline of work. The report warns that without close collaboration from the Department for Infrastructure to guarantee a sustained pipeline of construction projects, the new cohort of qualified apprentices could enter a market lacking opportunities. The success of the Department for the Economy's welcomed Apprenticeship Action Plan hinges on this joined-up action, requiring sustained infrastructure investment and quicker planning decisions.