Written Answers. - Skills Shortages.
James Leonard
Question:
31
Mr. Leonard
asked the
Minister for Enterprise and Employment
if his attention has been drawn to the scarcity of skilled operatives for the construction industry; and the steps, if any, he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
[4437/97]
The construction industry in Ireland is currently enjoying significant growth in demand with output expected to have increased by 13 per cent in 1996, following an increase of 14 per cent in 1995. Output in the industry is expected to be £5,725 million in 1996.
Direct employment in building and construction increased by almost 6 per cent to 81,500 at mid-April 1995 on year earlier levels, and is estimated to have increased a further 6 per cent to 86,200 at mid-April 1996. Allowing for indirect employment, estimated at 40 per cent, the total number of persons employed in construction was 114,100 in 1995, or 9 per cent of the 1.2 million persons employed in the State. Based on labour force estimates of construction unemployment, the industry's unemployment rate fell to almost 12 per cent in 1995 from over 20 per cent in 1992-3.
In relation to the current demand for skilled operatives, FÁS, through the construction industry training committee, has recently developed a manpower forecasting system to assist employment and training planners and, in particular, the construction industry, to match future demands for skills. The social partners, including the construction industry itself, are represented on this committee. The model which has been developed will provide a framework for the future and will form the basis for a process of continuous development. The system is capable of estimating demand for 25 construction occupations at a national and regional level.
There has been a significant increase in the number of apprentices being recruited in the industry with, for example, the intake off bricklaying and plastering increasing by 100 per cent between 1993-94 and 1995-6. The new standards-based apprenticeship training system will ensure that the skills of craftworkers employed in the construction industry will be up to best practice standards.
In conclusion, there has been a significant increase in the number of first year apprentices on the new standards-based scheme, which will contribute to the overall number of craft persons. The new manpower model will provide greater accuracy in predicting future skills needs.
