Bennett Construction and Shay Murtagh Precast have collaborated to deliver an extensive Careers in Construction Work Experience Programme for a group of 29 students from Columba College Killucan, Co. Westmeath.

The initiative was initially conceived as a placement for 12 girls participating in the STEM Passport for Inclusion programme with Maynooth University. However, due to significant demand and effective collaboration with the school, the programme was expanded to include 29 Transition Year students, reflecting the increased interest in engineering and construction pathways.

Over the five-day duration, the students experienced a valuable blend of classroom education, industry-specific training, live construction site exposure, and engineering insights from the manufacturing environment. Key elements of the programme included:

• Company Introductions: Overviews from Bennett Construction and Shay Murtagh ambassadors detailing their operations, career opportunities, and the various routes (e.g., apprenticeships, university) into the industry.

• Safety Training: Completion of the CIF Safe Pass training, which provided students with an understanding of core construction safety requirements.

• Site Visit: A trip to the live Cromcastle Residential Development in Coolock, a 146-unit housing project for the Land Development Agency (LDA) managed by Bennett Construction. Students engaged directly with the site team, including managers and engineers.

• Manufacturing Insight: A guided tour of the Shay Murtagh Precast manufacturing facility, featuring demonstrations of the precast production process, a 'role speed dating' session across eight different disciplines, and an "Ask the MD" Q&A session with Ciaran Murtagh.

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• Networking: The final day, held at Bennett Headquarters, included a networking session with team members from key departments such as estimating, preconstruction, purchasing, HR, and marketing. The students showcased video highlights of their week to Joint MD, Paul Bruton, before a celebratory closeout complete with certificates, goody bags, and pizza.

This collaborative model marks a major step forward in the sector's commitment to promoting rewarding careers and nurturing future talent, offering meaningful engagement that helps to demystify the industry and fosters a diverse pipeline of skilled personnel.

Partner Company Quotes

Paul Bruton, Joint Managing Director, Bennett Construction, said: "It was a great week. As a first of its kind mentoring model within the construction sector, we were delighted to host so many students from Columba College. The mentoring week gave students time to connect with the team, build confidence and ask questions that mattered to them. It also helped us identify the learning style that suited them best. Our goal was to highlight the wide variety of roles in the sector and the different pathways to reach them, whether through college, apprenticeships, or earn-as-you-learn programmes."

Gillian Murtagh, Shared Services Director, Shay Murtagh Precast, stated: "I really enjoyed the week. The students showed genuine interest in many of the roles and asked thoughtful questions. Programmes like this are invaluable in giving students insight into our industry, especially when two companies in the same sector doing very different work can demonstrate how similar skills and roles apply in completely different ways."

Sean Downey, Director of Education, Training and Skills, Construction Industry Federation (CIF), added: "CIF were delighted to support the industry's firm commitment to building the next generation of talent. With the support of members like Bennett Construction and Shay Murtagh, we are creating clear, structured pathways for young people to explore STEM fields within the construction sector. This is not only an investment in students, but in the long-term sustainability and innovation of Ireland's built environment."

Darren Finn, TY Teacher, Columba College Killucan, commented: "This partnership has been transformative for our students. The blend of site visits, factory tours, and professional engagement has given them a real understanding of what a future in construction could look like. The support from both companies made the experience exceptional."

Lauren McCauley, Maynooth University (STEM Passport for Inclusion), noted: "The expansion from 12 STEM Passport participants to 29 students reflects the real commitment shown by Bennett Construction and Shay Murtagh. Experiences like this are vital for helping young people particularly young women, see clear, tangible pathways into STEM and construction careers."