Marian Harkin TD
Minister of State for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate
Ireland’s construction industry is growing more inclusive, more innovative and more equipped for the challenges of tomorrow.
With initiatives like the Building Heroes social media campaign and the Careers in Construction Action Plan, driven by my Department, we are committed to ensuring that construction is a career option for everyone, regardless of background, gender or life stage.
Access to construction careers
The industry now offers numerous roles, from traditional craft apprenticeships to emerging careers in digital design, sustainability and modern methods of construction (MMC). Thanks to our expanding network of further education and training routes, access to these roles is more achievable than ever.
Our Building Heroes campaign has already reached millions online, particularly inspiring young people, notably women, to explore careers in construction. We’re not just building homes; we’re shaping communities, retrofitting for a greener future, designing smarter infrastructure and creating inclusive spaces to live and work.
Through powerful personal stories — like Giselle, a rising digital MMC trainee featured in the Building Heroes campaign — we are showing what’s possible in this evolving landscape.
Access to these roles is
more achievable than ever.
Learning pathways for everyone
At the heart of our strategy is inclusivity. Our modular and flexible learning options allow people to enter the system in ways that fit their lives. Whether through microcredentials, online learning or apprenticeships, learners can progress at their own pace.
A standout example is our MMC Pathway Portfolio, developed in partnership with Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB). Through an accessible, modular framework reflecting how people live and work today, this initiative supports learners at all levels, including career changers and those returning to the workplace.
Looking ahead: equity in construction
As Minister for State in the Department, I have seen first-hand many of the exciting projects and programmes underway in the construction sector. As we update our Careers in Construction Action Plan, our focus remains firmly on breaking down barriers and advancing equity. We’re working across government and industry to ensure that learners from every part of the country, at every stage of life, can see the full picture of construction and see themselves playing a part in it.
