Minister Lawless Hosts Construction Roundtable as Nine out of Ten Warn Skills Gaps are Slowing Output
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Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe: 27 Bealtaine 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 27 Bealtaine 2026
Construction and infrastructure leaders gather for second National Skills Roundtable
More than 94% of construction companies, representative bodies and state agencies attending a construction and infrastructure skills roundtable hosted by Minister James Lawless today said workforce shortages in specific skills areas are impacting performance, underlining the need to build on record Government investment in apprenticeships and skills development.
According to respondents to the informal advance survey, rapid technological change is reshaping skills needs, with growing demand for AI, digital engineering, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and systems integration skills. However, there are also widespread shortages of engineers, trades (especially wet trades like plastering, blocklaying and tiling) surveyors and planners, alongside a critical lack of mid-career professionals with 5-10 years’ experience.
Construction and infrastructure industry leaders welcomed the significant progress made in expanding apprenticeships and investment in skills, while emphasising that continued scaling, modernisation of training, and combined efforts for a stronger promotion of construction careers will be important to meet growing workforce demands.
The second National Skills Roundtable – held at the O’Connor Centre for Learning at UCD - focused on workforce capacity across the construction and infrastructure sectors in support of the State’s housing and infrastructure delivery priorities.
Today’s roundtable builds on previous enterprise and ministerial engagement, bringing together key stakeholders from industry, Government, and the education and training system to share perspectives and identify potential actions to address skills challenges across the sector. Discussions were informed by stakeholder input in advance on current and emerging skills gaps, measures already in place to address those challenges, and barriers within the existing skills system.
Speaking at the event, Minister Lawless said:
“Strong and sustained engagement with industry is essential to ensuring our skills system is delivering for a rapidly evolving construction sector. Today’s roundtable is a key part of that, giving us direct insight from employers on where the pressures are and how we respond effectively.
The Government is making record investments in the skills economy. In Budget 2026, I allocated €79 million for apprenticeship delivery, bringing total investment to €415 million, more than double the level in 2020. We now have 87 apprenticeship programmes available across the country, opening up more opportunities than ever before to build careers in construction and beyond.”
Emphasising delivery and next steps, the Minister continued:
“Our focus is on turning that investment into real capacity on the ground, increasing apprenticeship registrations, expanding training provision, and ensuring programmes are aligned with the needs of modern construction, including digital and emerging technologies.
There is strong alignment across industry, education providers and Government, and we will continue to work in partnership to ensure we have the skilled workforce needed to meet Ireland’s housing and infrastructure ambitions.”
Minister Harkin said:
“A strong and sustainable economy depends on the timely delivery of housing and critical infrastructure.
With apprenticeship participation increasing, we are building real momentum in developing skills pipelines. Sustaining this progress will depend on maintaining capacity, strengthening supports, and expanding pathways into the sector.
I am confident that a continued, coordinated approach across Government, industry and the further education and training system will ensure that we can meet the scale of delivery needed in the years ahead.”
The outcomes of today’s gathering will inform ongoing work across Government to strengthen skills provision across the construction and infrastructure sectors.
Recognising the scale and pace of change affecting Ireland’s economy and future skills requirements, further sector-focused roundtable events will take place over the coming months.
ENDS