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The I Wish Showcase returned to the RDS Dublin on 5 February 2026, welcoming almost 4,000 secondary school girls from across Ireland to explore careers in STEM.
This year marked an important milestone for our sector, with a dedicated Construction Zone powered by the Construction Industry Federation, positioning construction firmly within the national STEM conversation.
The Construction Zone was designed to “Build the Future: Be the Future of Construction”, featuring interactive exhibitions and lightning talks that showcased the growing role of women across the industry. With women currently representing just 9% of the construction workforce in Ireland, the presence of a visible, engaging construction platform sent a strong signal about the sector’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and long-term workforce development. Speakers in the zone representing their firms, including Dornan Engineering, Jones Engineering, Park Developments, Walls, Jacobs Engineering and CIF.
The scale and impact of I Wish are significant. Since its foundation in 2015, the campaign has reached over 60,000 girls and consistently demonstrates a measurable increase in interest in STEM subjects among attendees. The 2026 showcase also received national media coverage, highlighting efforts to address the gender gap in construction and applied STEM fields.
For CIF and participating member companies, the event aligned directly with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion objectives and our Education and Careers in Construction pillar. By giving female professionals a platform to share their stories and by engaging directly with Transition Year students at a pivotal decision-making stage, the Construction Zone helped position our industry as modern, innovative and open to everyone.