Building & Construction
The cranes that dominated the skyline in our large towns and cities were testimony to the booming construction industry in Ireland over the last 10 years. However, we are now experiencing a slowdown in all sections of the construction industry. Total construction output in 2002 accounted for 21% of Gross National Product (GNP). This reached a highpoint of 25% in 2006, and currently stands at around 18%. 

As Ireland goes through a period of recession, the value of GNP will fall and this will off-set the decline in the relative value of the industry in a smaller economy.  For more detailed information on the up-to-date situation in this sector with regard to employment opportunities and prospects please go to the "Ask the Expert" section on the right hand side of this page.

Useful Career Sheets from STEPS to Engineering [pdf files]
Building Services	Civil Engineering	Engineering Life

The building and construction sector consists of three main segments comprising of  residential construction, general contracting and civil engineering.

A lot of attention has focused in recent months on the housing sector (residential construction) which has weakened considerably since the beginning of 2007. Most of the economic indicators relating to housing portray a sector which is in a period of transition as housebuilding activity, house prices, mortgage lending and employment adjust to more ‘normal’ levels.

The two other sectors continue to expand both in respect of non-residential building and civil engineering activity. These activities include work on roads, bridges, hospitals and schools etc.

Like most areas of work it’s only when we do a little research that we begin to unravel a surprising range of both interesting and rewarding careers.

When something is under construction or indeed in the pre-planning construction stage, it is referred to as a building project. Construction projects are varied and can include house building, building of schools and hospitals, water supply networks, transport systems, and power stations.

In order to achieve the high level of quality required in the construction industry it is important to produce highly skilled personnel who are trained to adapt to new technologies. The industry is now very much management oriented and most have third level degrees.

The construction of any major building projects is a feat of co-ordination and involves managing a range of people with specialist skills. The professionals in the construction industry are the architects who plan and develop designs for the construction; the civil engineers who evaluate, research and manage a variety of major civil engineering schemes; the building surveyors who examine existing properties advising on any defects; the quantity surveyors who calculate the cost of the building project and the much sought after construction managers who plan and manage the operations.

Each of these professionals has spent a number of years in third level education and must meet the specific requirements of their professional bodies. Others work as technicians alongside the professionals. Technicians carry out duties under the supervision of their respective professionals. They too are likely to have taken a course in 3rd Level (Level 6 or 7) in one of the IT Colleges around the country.

There are of course a very large number of trade craftspeople operating in this sector. The trades in the construction industry include

• Electricians
• Carpenter/joiners
• Brick and Stonelayers
• Plumbers
• Painter/Decorators
• Tilers
• Construction plant fitters
• Fitters

Craftspeople in these trades have been trained as apprentices under the Designated Crafts Scheme organized by FAS.

Over 40,000 people work as general operatives. In the past these jobs were referred to as labourers and regarded as unskilled. These onsite jobs have also become more specialized. Steel workers, Pipe layers, Scaffolders, Heavy goods vehicle drivers, Machine operatives and Demolition workers require a good deal of training and skill. Training is sometimes offered ‘on the job’ but an approved certified course is becoming the norm. The slow down in the house-building sector is expecting to see no further increase of employment for general operatives in this area.

Overall though, in spite of the slow down, opportunities will remain into the future especially for those with specialist and professional skills.

Property
There are may careers in the Property area so you can choose which area to specialise in - from commercial property to planning and fund management.

Commercial property:
This involves services related to the ownership and occupation of property used for commercial purposes, such as offices, shops and warehouses. This is one of the biggest and most popular sectors – and one of the most competitive areas. You could work in an area such as occupational agency, investment or landlord and tenant.

Residential property:
This encompasses anything from a millionaire’s mansion to affordable housing developments. Services include valuation, development, marketing, mortgage broking and investment advice. Almost any position involves a good deal of variety – a range of property types and clients from private individuals to property developers.

Most jobs in this area require third level education, and graduates tend to find work as Valuation surveyors, Property development surveyors, Property managers, or Investment advisers.

Auctioneering
Auctioneers and Estate Agents are involved in the sale, letting, management and valuation of property. Generally, they work either in partnerships or practice on their own account. The career is suitable for those with an interest in people and property.

To practice professionally you must be fully qualified in all the legal, technical and other aspects of the business. You will also need to have an outgoing personality, like working with different people daily and have good negotiating and communication skills.

With the property profession now covering such a broad range of property-related aspects, graduates may work in many different areas, such as:

• sales by auction, tender or private treaty of land or residential/commercial/investment property
  
• valuations for sale, purchase, letting, mortgage, rating, insurance, tax and other purposes
  
• handling the purchase of property or land
  
• letting and management of all types of property or land
  
• conacre lettings and longterm leasing of land
  
• sales and valuations of fine art/antiques, plant, machinery, livestock and other chattels
  
• compulsory purchase order disposals/acquisitions and town planning compensation
  
• acting as arbitrators and expert valuers for rent review purposes
  
• representing either landlords or tenants in rent reviews, or in relation to lease renewals under landlord and tenant legislation