Construction Industry Federation Careers

Building the Future – Now!

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF), is the national and regional representative body for construction industry employers (contractors) in Ireland.

CIF is recognised by Government, client and professional bodies as the representative body and voice of the construction industry and represents the views and interests of contractors in the sector.

The CIF's objective to to develop the construction industry in Ireland into a strong industrial sector, making a positive contribution to the development of the Irish economy by ensuring the delivery world class infrastructure, to attract inward investment and to ensure a highly skilled workforce is available to meet this demand.

Graduates and craftspersons are employed directly by CIF members.

Construction, Architecture & Property Sector in Ireland Courses and Careers

Apprentice Electrician Chatreen

Apprentice Painter Decorator Fergal Feehely

BIM Engineer Stephanie Niland

Walls Construction Louise Martin

Tremco Illbruck Sara Phillips

Architectural BIM Technologist Liam Roche

Quality Assurance / Offsite Manufacturing Giselle

Designer Group Larissa Tardelli

Graduate Civil Engineer Keith Weatherston

Construction Site Supervisor Donal Kane

Civil Engineering Contractors Association CECA

Electrical Apprentice Katie O'Connell

Site Manager - Grad Entry Aidan Maher

Apprentice Carpenter Oisin Murphy

Construction Health and Safety Officer Sean Lee

Apprentice Painters / Decorators Angela & Aoife

Engineering Upskilling Programmes Local ETB

Collen Construction Lisa Roche

Apprentice Electrician Mark Maguire

Eileen Faherty, Electrician / Quantity Surveyor

Eileen Faherty is a Quantity Surveyor with Jones Engineering Group. Eilleen completed a four year electrician appreticeship and further obtained a Btech in Construction Technology from DIT. Her work involves preparing variations for construction projects along with labour spends reports and project cost projections.

Hi, Ask me a question...

What were the main 'career decision' milestones in your life so far?

My main career decision was deciding I wanted to learn and earn money at the same times which lead me to my apprenticeship. Luckily enough this led to progression which allowed me to be a Quantity Surveyor today.

Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?

My parents. When I was picking an apprenticeship at 18 years of age I asked my father if women could be electricians and his response was �women can be anything they want to be these days� so that set my decision and I always remember that line made me go for it.

How did you go about getting your current job?

I originally applied for an electrical apprenticeship with my company and through the years progressed from this to a Quantity Surveyor.

Describe a typical day?

A typical day would involve preparing any variations that are due on a project. Most construction projects are fast moving and clients require costs turned around in a quick manner so this is always our focus.

I would then work on any weekly reports due such as labour spends reports or project cost projections. This would involve working with Project Managers and Contracts Mangers to get the various elements of information required to produce the report.

As with all construction professionals a lot of time is spent answering emails on various cost queries from clients, PQS and our Accounts and Purchasing. If a project is coming to an end a large amount of time will be spent preparing the Final Account and agreeing it with the relevant parties. It is always good to close off a project and get the final account signed, particularly on a large or lengthy project.

What are the main tasks and responsibilities?

My responsibilities are to ensure that the project is working within its budgets. That costs are minimised and all changes on the projects are captured and notified to the client.

My tasks would be pricing of variations, preparing interim applications for payment, reporting on weekly labour spend and reporting monthly into my directors on the project outlook.

What are the main challenges?

Construction Projects are very competitively priced these days. There are challenges with completing most projects within the budgets set out. While it is not easy to achieve sometimes it is a good challenge to work with the construction team and see if we can look at new ways to complete the project differently in order to make it more cost efficient.

What do you like most?

The flexibility the job brings, working in different places with different people regularly.

Is there anything that isn't great?

The workload can be quite big. Construction projects have a schedule which they must be finished by so sometimes everything is needed yesterday!

What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?

I would have strong analytical skills. I would be able to study data closely and pull the relevant information required from it. I am good with numbers and enjoy working with numbers. These are skills that most QS need.

I feel I am strong-minded. Agreeing variations and final accounts sometimes is not for the fainthearted and people can be very pushy where money is concerned. I am also a team player, on a big project everyone needs to pull together to get the project done so it is important to work closely with your team.

What is your education to date?

Leaving Certificate – Scoil Chaitriona , Glasnevin - 1998

FAS Pre Apprenticeship Course –1997 Course doing Plumbing, Carpentry and Electrical to assist in deciding which apprenticeship suited you best.

Time Served Electrical Apprenticeship – 1999 -2004 – Qualified as an Electrician in 2004

Btech in Construction Technology – DIT Bolton Street – 2008-2011

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

As an apprentice electrician it was finishing my apprenticeship after four years, it was a great achievement for me.

As QS it would be finishing a large complex project. At times it felt like it would never end but with hard work we got to the finish line. It was the biggest project of my career and I was happy that we got it finished successfully.

What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?

I would be quite organised and I feel this helps me deal with all the different streams of work that a QS has to deal with on a daily basis. I would be strong willed and strong minded which helps working in construction.

What is your dream job?

I love to cook and bake so a little cafe somewhere quiet would be nice.

Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?

My job through the years has allowed me to progress with time and I feel that while it is hard work you can earn a good living from it which allows a good lifestyle.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

My advice would be that if you are not afraid of hard work that construction can be a very rewarding industry. It is a constantly changing industry which is interesting to work in.

To be a QS the main values would be to be interested in dealing with financial data and be happy to work as part of a team. Having an interest in construction generally outside of the commercials will also help as it keeps you interested in the projects you are working on apart from what they cost.

What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?

To be a practical person, be a good communicator and to be a team player.

What is your favourite music?

What is your favourite film?

Too many to answer I love movies!

What is your pet hate at work?

People talking really loud on their phones when I am trying to concentrate!

What is your star sign?

What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

Any work experience in construction would provide a good background as it would make you familiar with construction sites and how they work. Any accounts background or a job which required good IT and numeracy skills.

What is your current job title?

Quantity Surveyor with Jones Engineering Group