Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
•   Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
•   Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Working Life

Site foremen supervise and co-ordinate the day to day operations of building, engineering and architectural projects. They make sure that projects have all the material required, that required work is organised and daily responsibilities are assigned so that they are carried out efficiently. Another responsibility is that safety standards are met and that staff have sufficient guidance to carry out their tasks.

They may take on the training of less experienced employees and supervise the carrying out of work. On complex sites involving a large variety of contractors, equipment and individual tasks working simultaneously the foreman is key to keeping site activity coordinated.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
• Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
• Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.
• Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
• Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
• Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
• Plan, organise, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
• Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
• Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
• Investigate damage, accidents, or delays at construction sites to ensure that proper construction procedures are being followed.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Foremen are almost always construction workers with many years of experience gained from working on site. To become a foreman focus on learning as much as possible from your experience on site and to take courses relevant to construction to develop a broad and deep level of technical knowledge. So when you apply for jobs as a foreman you can display competence in all the moving parts that make up a construction project. Keeping up to date on new developments in construction technology and processes is also valuable.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: manual handling, safepass, working at height, lugs locating underground services, construction skills programme, project, general management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: construction, building construction, pre-apprenticeship, engineering technology, construction technology with renewable energy systems, property management.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Further machinery & skills certs for entry into this occupation can be short, but progression into sustained employment is gained via developing more skills, networking, and qualifications up to trade apprenticeship levels.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: construction management, construction, facilities and building services management, construction management and engineering, construction project management and applied technology, project and construction management. 

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: health and safety in construction, construction project management, BIM, lean construction management.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €50k - €85k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
CPL / Morgan McKinley/ Brightwater/ Sigmar/ Excel/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Civil engineers, Construction project managers and related professionals, Production managers and directors in construction.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment growth was above average for this occupation with annual increases since 2020, and growing by 2,400 persons employed since 2022. The number of employment permits issued grew on the previous year, with civil/site/structural engineers and construction project managers accounting for most of the permits issued. Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) related mainly to civil engineers; DSP adverts were smaller in quantity but included civil, site and project engineers.

Data from the Recruitment Agency Survey, Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills noted issues with filling vacancies for civil/site engineers and/or construction project managers; skills in demand associated with these vacancies included project management, problem solving and critical thinking skills. The number of awards for civil and building engineering subjects has been increasing in recent years, with over 1,000 awards at levels 8-10 in 2022; of these, 266 awards were for civil engineering, the highest number in several years, and a third more than in 2018 (although the numbers have fluctuated in the intervening years).

Although shortages are arising for both roles, civil engineers account for over half of employment in this occupation.

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Construction Industry Federation

  • Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • (01) 406 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here