Construction chief predicts jobs for engineering graduates - and a shortage of building workers

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM
way m Galway.

ENGINEERING students at GMIT have been told the construction sector should have recovered by the time they and the country graduate could even experience a shortage of experienced workers. Speaking to GMIT students, Don O'Sullivan, Director of Tendering and Contracting at the Construction Industry Federation, said there will be "considerable growth by the time they start graduating". .And he added that when the economy begins to recover, there will be demand for workthousands of whom in ers Galway alone lost their jobs when the property market collapsed in 2007. He was giving a presentation on the state of the construction sector and how it is struggling at the moment, although a number of major projects are under-

'Although the sector is struggling at present, there is likely to be considerable growth in construction around about the time you start graduating. "In most normal economies, construction generally accounts for eight to twelve per cent of the overall economic activity. "As the Irish economy recovers we should see the construction sector have that level of activity if not more. Basing economic growth on a projection of between one and two per cent over the next five years, we should see Ireland's economy grow to a value of approximately 168 billion by 2016," said Mr O'Sullivan. He explained that such a scenario would lead to a boost to the construction sector, and demand for workers. "Under those circumstances

struction activity of about 16 billion taking place in this country by 2016. That would be a very significant shift from the current position and would mean there will be a strong demand for people to work in the Irish construction sector. "If that level of activity returns the country will need a lot of different skills in the construction sector. Not just builders and contractors but also civil engineers, surveyors, electricians, plumbers and other specialists." "At the peak of the boom Ireland's construction sector accounted for 24% of the country's economic activity. In 2007, 38 billion was generated through construction activity. That was not sustainable and since the downturn the industry has fallen way back. "With the economy continu-

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activity may only account for as little as 5% of Ireland's economy, which is an overcorrection in activity," said Mr O'Sullivan. The CIF spokesperson said the construction representative group expect the sector to 'thrive' when the economy
recovers. "As the economy starts to improve it is likely that the construction sector will start to thrive again. Given the low base it is currently operating from the CIF expects construction activity to grow considerably over the coming years. "So while many construction jobs have been lost over the last few years, the outlook for those considering a career in a construction related field is actually a lot more positive. There is likely to be regular demand for their skills in the years to come," he said.