Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, alongside Minister of State Marian Harkin TD, has officially unveiled the Updated Careers In Construction Action Plan.

Launched at the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), the revised strategy aims to significantly bolster the workforce required to meet the goals of the National Development Plan, the Climate Action Plan, and the Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 initiative.

The updated plan evolves from the original 2023 framework, increasing the number of targeted actions from 20 to 36. These new measures are designed to widen the recruitment pool and integrate Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) into the national skill set.

Key new initiatives included in the plan are:

• The establishment of a dedicated construction skills programme for prisoners.

• The introduction of Safe Pass training featuring Ukrainian language interpretation.

• The utilisation of EU public employment networks to attract international labour.

• Exploring career pathways for International Protection Applicants.

• The expansion of the Skillnet MMC Accelerate platform to ensure skills are transferable between onsite and offsite construction environments.

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Speaking at the launch, Minister James Lawless TD highlighted the progress made over the last two years, noting an increase in apprenticeship applications and female participation.

He stated: "Over the past two years we have seen encouraging uplifts in the construction workforce population and the numbers applying for apprenticeships, as well as positive trends towards greater female participation and increased interest from second-level students. This new plan helps us to to attract new entrants and converts to construction-related careers.

"This work is more than just about promoting and raising the profile of the sector to new entrants. This would mean very little if we didn't also focus on removing barriers to entry to the industry for women and under-represented groups and developing new education and training pathways that incorporate modern methods of construction (MMC). This is why the number of actions in the updated plan has risen from 20 to 36, with many of the new actions focused on widening participation and on education and training initiatives."

Minister of State Marian Harkin TD, who holds responsibility for Apprenticeships and Construction Skills, emphasised the need to modernise the industry's image.

She added: "Construction must be seen for what it is: a modern, diverse and rewarding sector. We're challenging outdated perceptions and opening the door to new talent, especially women, young people, and under-represented groups. We are working with schools and other partners to source relevant modules aimed at transition year students, as well as an iVET construction taster course that is available to transition year students nationwide. We're also piloting prison-based training and growing Modern Methods of Construction pathways because everyone should have a route into this sector."

The plan was developed by a diverse working group including the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Engineers Ireland, SOLAS, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Thanking the stakeholders, Minister Lawless described the plan as a "whole-of-Government, cross-sectoral effort" to ensure workers are not only recruited but supported and retained within the industry.