The size of the construction market in Ireland is nearly €27 Billion and is set to grow with infrastructure projects in housing, transport, commercial, public institutions, manufacturing, chemical, pharmaceutical, energy and utilities.
The Construction Industry is constantly evolving and new technologies such as building information modelling (BIM), AI, VR, 3D printing and drone technology make it an exciting time to join this sector.
Every construction project is unique, offering great variety in your working environment, combining office and site work. Whether an award winning development, a data centre, pharmaceutical plant, energy or utilities plant, or state of the art stadium you will constantly develop your problem solving skills to overcome the inevitable challenges on each project. One of the most satisfying aspects of the role is seeing your work progress and develop into the finished product, which will be part of the built landscape and enjoyed for many years to come.
Your responsibilities as a Construction Manager include planning, scheduling and managing all aspects of the construction process, including quality, building and health and safety on site. Effective communication skills are required to co-ordinate resources, liaise with clients and professionals such Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, Site Foreman, Construction Planner and sub-contractors. You need to be able to think on your feet and troubleshoot often complex issues to ensure the project stays on track.
Huge construction sites employ hundreds of skilled professionals who build the structures designed by engineers and architects. Irrespective of the size, whether working in Ireland or on international projects your role is to ensure that your project is delivered safely, on time and within budget.
Career Paths
A career in Construction Management usually requires an apprenticeship or degree level qualification in related fields such as construction, civil engineering or architecture. Some with significant experience in the industry have progressed from entry level positions to leadership roles. It is mandatory to have a Safe Pass certificate to work on construction sites in Ireland.
As well as full time courses in Construction Management, there are opportunities for industry professionals to upskill through part-time study and other training programmes. There are a large number of colleges which offer 1 year QQI Level 5 courses in Construction and related fields, many of which link to higher education. Check with educational institutions for further information.
Construction Managers work in the public and private sector in diverse careers such as project managers, quantity surveyors, IT, health & safety and with builders or sub-contractors as planners, site managers, estimators, or as construction programmers in the pre-design phase scoping the project’s goals and objectives. You may progress to senior level management positions and your skills will also be sought after for management positions in other sectors such as retail, IT, maintenance, conservation and sustainability.
As a member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), an internationally recognised professional body, you will have excellent opportunities for worldwide travel. As modern methods of construction expand, and the need for skilled professionals grows, CIOB has announced a strategic partnership with MMC Ireland. A qualification in Construction Management will also open other management opportunities in IT, retail, maintenance, conservation and sustainability.
Read more about a career in construction management here and the Irish Building & Design Awards Construction/Project Management firm of the year.
