New programmes target next generation of construction workers as skills gap widens
Initiatives for schools and safety training launched as sector needs up to 110,000 additional workers by 2030
24 April 2026 | đŸ“§ editor@ipropertyradio.com
A series of new construction training initiatives aimed at students and workers has been launched, as the sector faces a projected shortfall of up to 110,000 workers by the end of the decade.
Minister of State for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Green Skills Marian Harkin announced the programmes at an event in the Hodson Bay Hotel in Co Westmeath on Friday. The measures are designed to attract new entrants into construction while improving safety standards and worker wellbeing.
The Irish construction sector currently employs approximately 192,000 people. However, demand for housing and infrastructure is expected to significantly increase workforce requirements, with estimates indicating a need for an additional 95,000 to 110,000 workers by 2030.
Central to the announcement is the introduction of a Safe Pass for Schools initiative, which will target second-level students, including those in Transition Year. The programme is intended to give young people early exposure to construction careers, highlighting pathways into apprenticeships, trades and professional roles.
The initiative is being delivered through a partnership between SOLAS, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It forms part of wider efforts under the Government’s Careers in Construction Action Plan.
Minister Harkin said the programmes reflect a coordinated approach across education, industry and Government. She stated that attracting new entrants is essential to delivering national priorities, including housing supply and climate targets, while also supporting economic growth.
Alongside the schools initiative, a revised Safe Pass programme will be rolled out in 2026. The national safety awareness course, which trains around 120,000 participants annually, has been updated to reflect modern construction practices and emerging risks. The revised format is designed to improve engagement and ensure workers are better prepared for current site conditions.
A third programme focuses on mental health awareness for construction trainers. It aims to equip tutors with the skills to identify and respond to mental health challenges among workers and learners, recognising the particular pressures associated with construction work.
David Smith, Director of Construction, Quality and Climate Strategy at SOLAS, said the updated training reflects changes across the industry and is intended to make safety education more relevant and effective.
Construction Industry Federation CEO Andrew Brownlee said early engagement with students is critical, noting that career decisions are often made during second-level education. He said increasing awareness of the range of roles available in construction is necessary to build a sustainable talent pipeline.
The programmes are part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ireland’s construction workforce capacity. With housing delivery and infrastructure investment central to Government policy, attracting new talent into the sector is increasingly seen as a national priority.
