Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 July 2018
73. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the statement of IBEC that as many as 80,000 additional construction workers will be required to meet infrastructure targets; if adequate plans are in place to meet the training needs for that number in the specific skills associated with construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29295/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the report referred to in the Deputy's question regarding projected significant additional demand for construction workers to meet infrastructural priorities set out in the National Development Plan (NDP).
I can assure the Deputy that securing additional skills supply from education and training to meet the requirements of the construction sector is a major focus of my Department as part of the broader Government actions to increase housing supply and successfully implement the NDP and the National Planning Framework (NPF) under Project Ireland 2040.
In this context, as the Deputy may be aware, a Construction Sector Working Group is being established to ensure regular and open dialogue between Government and the construction sector in relation to issues that may impact on the successful delivery of the NDP on a value-for-money basis for the State. As set out in the NDP, part of the Construction Group's remit will be to consider the supply of necessary skills and enhancing the capacity of the sector. The NDP also highlights the importance of examining the role of Building Information Modelling and adopting other technologies and innovative practices in driving improving productivity and efficiencies. The work of the Group will, therefore have an important role to play in ensuring that the construction sector enhances its capacity to meet infrastructural priorities over the next decade.
In responding to specific skill needs for the construction sector, a particular focus of my Department and the education and training sector more generally has been the expansion in apprenticeships spearheaded by the Apprenticeship Council.
Construction related apprenticeship registrations increased from 1,713 in 2015 to 2,314 in 2016 which represents an increase of 35%. This trend continued in 2017 with a further increase of 28% bringing the total number of construction related registrations to 2,963.
Apprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme, which aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. Consequently, the number of construction related apprentices being registered is determined by employers within the construction sector. My Department and SOLAS are committed to supporting the registration of apprentices in the construction sector.
The range of apprenticeships on offer is also being expanded to meet the identified skill needs of the sector. Arising from two calls for apprenticeship proposals three new apprenticeships in the construction sector are currently in development, Engineering Services Management, Scaffolding and Advanced Quantity Surveyor.
In addition to apprenticeship provision, almost 7,000 beneficiaries participated in SOLAS-funded construction related further education and training programmes provided by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) during 2017. Separately, following a series of discussions with the Construction Industry Federation, programmes have been put in place to produce approximately 100 form workers, 100 steel-fixers and 50 curtain wallers per year. SOLAS will continue to engage with the ETBs to expand provision to meet needs in these areas.
In conclusion, in responding to the broader issue of the appropriate level of employment in the construction sector, it will be important - as highlighted in the NDP - to be acutely conscious of the experience of the last fifteen years which highlighted the dangers for society and the economy when the construction sector expands too greatly and contracts too steeply.
