Entry into the construction sector is possible at all levels. General operatives join the industry with no experience but through working with others and on various projects, they gain skills informally and can progress to supervisory roles.
Traineeships
General Operative (GO) trainee programmes are now available through Education and Training Boards (ETB's) around the country. For example colleges such as Ballyfermot Training Centre now offer short courses in areas such as Steel Fixing, Form Work, Flooring and GO training. Courses in other ETB's include Glazing and Roofing. These traineeships could be up to 18 months in duration.
To check out all the ETBs around the country click here.
The Mount Lucas National Construction Training Centre specialises in construction related skills including Utilities Traineeship, Scaffolding Apprenticeship and retrofitting skills.
The Centre, located in Daingean, Co. Offaly is designed to train, develop and upskill the competencies for both construction machine operators and operatives that will enable trainees to develop a career within the construction industry.
Other programmes on offer at Mount Lucas include:
Apprenticeship
Apprenticesips are four year earn and learn programmes which qualify you to work in the construction industry.
You can search apprenticeship jobs here filtering by location and apprenticeship type
Apprentices must meet minimum entry requirements set down by SOLAS. POTENTIAL APPLICANTS TO ELECTRICAL TRADE BE WARNED! - MOST EMPLOYERS IN THIS SECTOR WILL ONLY ACCEPT APPRENTICES WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR LEAVING CERTIFICATE MATHS.
School Leavers
School leavers wishing to qualify as engineers / surveyors should check with their chosen college to ascertain the entry requirements. New entrants to the construction sector arrive from a variety of backgrounds and have a range of prior formal qualifications, such as Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
Third Level Qualifications
Degrees in all disciplines are welcomed for those wishing to work in the construction sector. There is always a requirement for highly skilled graduates. Many of those working in the sector will have come from a range of academic backgrounds such as:
CIF Learning and Development provides a wide range of training programmes for the construction sector:
The range of current courses available include:
Life long learning is an important aspect to continuing progression within the sector.
All workers in the industry must have completed Safe Pass.
New entrants arrive in the sector from various educational and training routes. The most traditional entry routes would be from schools or colleges.
Students may also pursue apprenticeships which involve a combination of working with a company and studying in a third level institution. Traineeships are also available from ETBs around the country, these courses can be up to 18 months in duration and cover many areas such as steel fixing, welding, roofing, flooring, glazing and general operative (GO).
